The*  COMPLETE 
HOME 


EDITED  BY 
CLARA   E.    LAUGHLIN 


D.    APPLETON     AND     COMPANY 

NEW    YORK 

1907 


COPYRIGHT,  1906,  BY 
D.  APPLETON  AND  COMPANY 


Published  November,  .i9t'6 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I 
CHOOSING  A  PLACE  TO  LIVE 

By  OLIVER  R.  WILLIAMSON 

PAGE 

Taste  and  expedience — Responsibilities — Renting,  buying  or 
building — Location — City  or  country — Renunciations — 
Schools  and  churches — Transportation — The  butcher,  the 
baker,  and  the  candlestick  maker — The  home  acre — 
Comparative  cost  in  renting — The  location  sense — Size  of 
lot — Position — Outlook  and  inlook — Trees — Income  and 
expenditure — Style — Size — Plans  for  building — Necessary 
rooms — The  sick  room — Room  to  entertain — The  "living 
room" — The  dining  room  and  kitchen — The  sleeping 
rooms — Thinking  it  out 1-28 

CHAPTER  II 

FLOORS,  WALLS,  AND  WINDOWS 
By  OLIVER  R.  WILLIAMSON 

The  necessity  of  good  floors — Material  and  cost  of  laying — 
Ornamental  flooring — Waxed,  varnished,  and  oiled  floors 
— Carpets,  linoleum,  and  mats — The  stairway — Rugs — 
Oriental  rugs — Kitchen  and  upper  floors — Matting  and 
cardoman  cloth — Uses  of  the  decorator — Wood  in  decora- 
tion— Panels  and  plaster — The  beamed  ceiling — Paint, 
paper,  and  calcimine  —  Shades  and  curtains  —  Leaded 
panes  and  casements — Storm  windows  ....  29-51 


334467 


vi  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  III 

LIGHTING  AND  HEATING 
By  OLIVER  R.  WILLIAMSON 

PAGE 

Necessity  of  sunlight — Kerosene — Gas  and  matches — Electric 
light — Pleasing  arrangement — Adaptability — Protection — 
Regulated  light — The  two  sure  ways  of  heating — The  hot- 
air  furnace — Direction  of  heat — Registers — Hot  water  and 
steam  heat — Indirect  heating — Summary  V  .  52-70 

CHAPTER  IV 

FURNITURE 
By  OLIVER  R.  WILLIAMSON 

The  quest  of  the  beautiful — Ancient  designs — The  Arts  and 
Crafts — Mission  furniture — Comfort,  aesthetic  and  phys- 
ical— Older  models  in  furniture — Mahogany  and  oak — Sub- 
stantiality— Superfluity — Hall  furniture — The  family  chairs 
—The  table— The  davenport— Bookcases— Sundries— Wil- 
low furniture — The  dining  table — Discrimination  in  choice 

71-90 

CHAPTER  V 
HOUSEHOLD  LINEN 
By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPKY 

Linen,  past  and  present — Bleached  and  "  half  -bleached  " — 
Damask — Quality — Design — Price  and  size — Necessary 
supply — Plain,  hemstitched,  or  drawn — Doilies  and  table 
dressing — Centerpieces — Monograms — Care  of  table  linen 
— How  to  launder — Table  pads — Ready-made  bed  linen — 
Price  and  quality — Real  linen — Suggestions  about  towels 

91-111 

CHAPTER  VI 

THE  KITCHEN 

By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

The  plan — Location  and  finish — The  floor — The  windows — The 
sink — The  pantry — Insects  and  their  extermination — The 


CONTENTS  vii 

PAGE 

refrigerator  and  its  care — Furnishing  the  kitchen — The 
stove — The  table  and  its  care — The  chairs — The  kitchen 
cabinet — Kitchen  utensils 112-136 

CHAPTER  VII 

THE  LAUNDRY 
By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

Laundry  requisites — The  stove  and  furnishings — Irons  and 
holders — Preparing  the  "wash" — Removing  stains — 
Soaking  and  washing — Washing  powders  and  soap — Wash- 
ing woolens — Washing  the  white  clothes — Starch — 
Colored  clothes — Stockings — Dainty  laundering — How  to 
wash  silk — Washing  blankets — Washing  curtains — Tidying 
up  and  sprinkling — Care  of  irons — How  to  iron  .  .  137-159 

CHAPTER  VIII 

TABLE  FURNISHINGS 

By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

Dining-room  cheer  —  Stocking  the  china-cupboard  —  The 
groundwork — Course  sets — Odd  pieces — Silver  and  plate — 
Glass — Arrangement — Duties  of  the  waitress — The  break- 
fast table — Luncheon — Dinner — The  formal  dinner — The 
formal  luncheon — Washing  glass — Washing  and  cleaning  sil- 
ver— How  to  wash  china — Care  of  knives  .  .  .  160-182 

CHAPTER  IX 

THE  BEDROOM 
By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

Light  and  air — Carpets  versus  rugs — Mattings — Wall  cover- 
ing— Bedroom  woodwork — Bedroom  draperies — Bedroom 
furnishing — Careful  selection — Toilet  and  dressing  tables 
— Further  comforts — The  bedstead — Spring,  mattress,  and 
pillows — Bed  decoration — Simplicity — Care  of  bedroom 
and  bed — Vermin  and  their  extermination  .  183-207 


viii  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  X 

THE  BATH  ROOM 

By  OLIVER  R.  WILLIAMSON 

PAGE 

Plumbing — Bath  room  location  and  furnishing — The  tub — 
The  lavatory — The  closet — Hot  water  and  how  to  get  it — 
Bath  room  fittings  .  208-223 

CHAPTER  XI 

CELLAR,  ATTIC,  AND  CLOSETS 

By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

The  cellar  floor — Ventilation— The  partitioned  cellar — Order 
in  the  cellar — Shelves  and  closets — The  attic — Order  and 
care  of  attic — Closets — The  linen  closet — Clothes  closets — 
The  china  closet — Closet  tightness — Closet  furnishings — 
Care  of  closets  and  contents 224-243 

CHAPTER  XII 

HANGINGS,  BRIC-A-BRAC,  BOOKS,  AND  PICTURES 

By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

The  charm  of  drapery — Curtains — Portieres— Bric-a-brac — 
The  growth  of  good  taste — Usefulness  with  beauty — Con- 
siderations in  buying — Books — Their  selection — Sets — 
Binding — Paper — Pictures — Art  sense — The  influence  of 
pictures — Oil  paintings — Engravings  and  photographs — 
Suitability  of  subjects — Hanging  of  pictures  .  .  244-268 

CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  NICE  MACHINERY  OF  HOUSEKEEPING 

By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPEY 

Monday  —  Tuesday  —  Wednesday  —  Thursday  —  Friday  — 
Saturday — House  cleaning — Preparation — Cleaning  drap- 
eries, rugs,  carpets — Cleaning  mattings  and  woodwork — 
Cleaning  beds  269-291 


CONTENTS  ix 

CHAPTER   XIV 

HIRED  HELP 

By  SARAH  CORY  RIPPKY 

PAGE 
The  general  housemaid — How  to  select  a  maid — Questions  and 

answers — Agreements — The  maid's  leisure  time — Dress 
and  personal  neatness — Carelessness — The  maid's  room — 
How  to  train  a  maid — The  daily  routine — Duties  of  cook 
and  nurse — Servant's  company 292-313 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

A  $3,400  House Frontispiece 

A  Unique  Arrangement  of  the  Porch 16 

A  Homelike  Living  Room 24 

An  Attractive  and  Inexpensive  Hall 32 

An  Artistic  Staircase  Hall 36 

An  Oriental  Rug  of  Good  Design:  Shirvan         ....  40 

Good  Examples  of  Chippendale  and  Old  Walnut       ...  74 

A  Chippendale  Secretary 78 

The  Dining  Room     . 88 

The  Kitchen 114 

The  Laundry 138 

Wedgwood  Pottery,  and  Silver  of  Antique  Design    .        .        .166 
A  Collection  of  Eighteenth-century  Cut  Glass    .        .       .        .170 

The  Bedroom 194 

The  Bathroom 212 

The  Drawing-room 254 

xi 


THE   COMPLETE  HOME 


CHAPTER  I 

CHOOSING   A   PLACE   TO   LIVE 

BLESSED  indeed  are  they  who  are  free  to 
choose  where  and  how  they  shall  live.    Still 
more  hlessed  are  they  who  give  abundant 
thought  to  their  choice,  for  they  may  not  wear  the 
sackcloth  of  discomfort  nor  scatter  the  ashes  of 
burned  money. 

TASTE  AND   EXPEDIENCE 

Most  of  us  have  a  theory  of  what  the  home 
should  be,  but  it  is  stowed  away  with  the  wedding 
gifts  of  fine  linen  that  are  cherished  for  our  perma- 
nent abode.  We  believe  in  harmony  of  surround- 
ings, but  after  living,  within  a  period  of  ten  years 
or  so,  in  seven  different  apartments  with  seven 
different  arrangements  of  rooms  and  seven  differ- 
ent schemes  of  decoration,  we  lose  interest  in  suit- 
ing one  thing  to  another.  Harmony  comes  to  mean 


2  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

simply  good  terms  with  the  janitor.  Or  if  (being 
beginners)  we  have  some  such  prospect  of  nomadic 
living  facing  us,  and  we  are  at  all  knowing,  we 
realize  the  utter  helplessness  of  demonstrating  our 
good  taste,  purchase  any  bits  of  furniture  that  a 
vagrant  fancy  may  fasten  upon,  and  give  space  to 
whatever  gimcracks  our  friends  may  foist  upon  us, 
trusting  that  in  the  whirligig  of  removals  the  plush 
rocker,  the  mission  table,  and  the  brass  parlor 
stand  may  each  find  itself  in  harmony  with  some- 
thing else  at  one  time  or  another.  Some  day  we 
shall  be  freed  from  the  tyranny  of  these  conditions, 
and  then ! 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

But  when  the  time  comes  to  declare  our  inde- 
pendence of  landlord  and  janitor,  or  at  least  to 
exchange  existence  in  a  flat  for  life  in  a  rented 
cottage,  we  find  that  freedom  brings  some  perplex- 
ing responsibilities  as  well  as  its  blessings.  Even 
if  our  hopes  do  not  soar  higher  than  the  rented 
house,  there  is  at  least  the  desire  for  a  reasonable 
permanency,  and  we  have  no  longer  the  excuse  of 
custom-bred  transitoriness  to  plead  for  our  lack 
of  plan.  Where  the  home  is  to  be  purchased  for 
our  very  own  the  test  of  our  individuality  becomes 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  3 

more  exacting.  A  house  has  character,  and  some 
of  the  standards  that  apply  to  companionship  ap- 
ply to  it.  In  fact,  we  live  with  it,  as  well  as  in  it. 
And  if  we  have  a  saving  conscience  as  to  the  im- 
measurability of  home  hy  money  standards  we  are 
not  to  be  tempted  by  the  veriest  bargain  of  a  house 
that  does  not  nearly  represent  our  ideals.  To 
blunder  here  is  to  topple  over  our  whole  Castle  of 
Hope. 

RENTING,   BUYING  OR  BUILDING 

But  the  test  is  most  severe  of  all  when  good 
fortune  permits  us  to  choose  locality,  site,  and 
building  plans,  and  to  finish  and  furnish  the  house 
to  suit  our  tastes,  even  though  less  in  accordance 
with  our  full  desires  than  with  our  modest  means. 
Now  we  may  bring  out  our  theory  of  living  from 
its  snug  resting  place.  It  will  need  some  furbish- 
ing up,  maybe,  to  meet  modern  conditions,  but 
never  mind! 

Whether  we  mean  to  rent,  to  buy,  or  to  build, 
the  problem  of  where  and  what  and  how  is  before 
us.  As  folk  of  wholesome  desires,  we  insist  first 
of  all  upon  good  taste,  comfort,  and  healthfulness 
in  our  habitats ;  and  since  we  may  agree  upon  the 
best  way  to  attain  these  essentials  without  ignor- 


4  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ing  our  personal  preferences  in  details,  we  may 
profitably  take  counsel  together  as  to  what  the  new 
home  should  he. 

LOCATION 

Thought  of  a  location  should  hegin  with  the 
birth  of  the  home  idea,  even  if  the  purchase-money 
be  not  immediately  available.  We  should  not  only 
take  sufficient  time  to  study  conditions  and  scheme 
carefully  for  the  home,  but  must  sagaciously  bear 
in  mind  that  where  real  estate  is  in  active  demand 
anxiety  to  purchase  stiffens  prices.  To  bide  one's 
time  may  mean  a  considerable  saving.  However, 
life,  as  we  plan  now  to  live  it,  is  short  enough  at 
most,  and  we  should  not  cheat  ourselves  out  of 
too  much  immediate  happiness  by  waiting  for  the 
money-saving  opportunity. 

The  question  of  neighborhood,  if  we  decide  to 
remain  within  city  limits,  is  a  difficult  one.  In 
most  of  the  larger  places  no  one  can  accurately 
foretell  the  future  of  even  the  most  attractive  resi- 
dence district.  Factories  and  business  houses  may 
not  obtrude,  but  flats  are  almost  sure  to  come.  Few 
cottages  are  being  constructed  in  cities,  partly  be- 
cause of  lack  of  demand,  but  principally  because 
they  do  not  pay  sufficient  income  on  the  investment. 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  5 

Consequently  the  houses  that  are  to  be  had  are 
seldom  modern.  Sometimes  they  pass  into  the 
hands  of  careless  tenants  and  the  neighborhood 
soon  shows  deterioration.  Still,  if  we  are  deter- 
mined to  remain  in  the  city  and  take  our  chances, 
it  is  possible  by  careful  investigation  to  discover 
congenial  surroundings.  Many  of  the  essential 
tests  of  the  suburban  home  that  we  shall  discuss 
hereafter  will  apply  also  to  the  house  in  a  strictly 
residence  district  of  a  large  city;  practically  all  of 
them  to  the  house  in  a  smaller  town. 

CITY  OR  COUNTRY 

The  chances  are,  however,  that  we  shall  choose 
the  suburb.  But  before  we  desert  J  72,  or  what- 
ever our  shelf  in  the  apartment  building  may  be, 
we  may  well  remind  ourselves  that  we  are  also  to 
desert  some  of  the  things  that  have  made  city  life 
enjoyable.  For  one  thing,  with  all  our  growling  at 
the  landlord,  we  have  been  able  to  cast  upon  him 
many  burdens  that  we  are  now  to  take  upon  our- 
selves. Some  of  our  sarcasms  are  quite  certain 
to  come  home  to  roost.  The  details  of  purchasing 
fuel,  of  maintaining  heat,  of  making  repairs,  are 
now  to  come  under  our  jurisdiction,  and  we  shall 
see  whether  we  manage  these  duties  better  than 


6  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

the  man  who   is   paid  a  lump   sum  to   assume 
them. 

RENUNCIATIONS 

Living  in  a  flat,  or  even  in  a  city  house,  we  do 
not  know,  nor  care  to  know,  who  the  people  above 
or  next  door  to  us  may  be;  and  they  are  in  pre- 
cisely the  same  position  with  regard  to  us.  Mere 
adjacency  gives  us  no  claim  upon  their  acquaint- 
ance, nor  does  it  put  us  at  the  mercy  of  their 
insistence.  Our  calling  list  is  not  governed  by 
locality,  and  we  can  cut  it  as  we  wish  without  em- 
barrassment. Choice  is  not  so  easy  in  the  suburb. 
There,  willynilly,  we  must  know  our  neighbors  and 
be  known  by  them.  Fortunately,  in  most  instances 
they  will  be  found  to  be  of  the  right  sort,  if  not 
fully  congenial. 

The  theater,  too,  must  become  rather  a  red- 
letter  diversion  than  a  regular  feature  of  our  ex- 
istence, if  it  has  been  so.  Whatever  enthusiasm 
we  may  possess  for  the  opera,  an  occasional  visit, 
with  its  midnight  return,  will  soon  come  to  satisfy 
us.  Our  pet  lectures,  club  life,  participation  in 
public  affairs,  frequent  mail  delivery,  convenience 
of  shopping,  two-minute  car  service,  and  freedom 
from  time  tables — these  suggest  what  we  have  to 
put  behind  us  when  we  pass  the  city  gates. 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  7 

It  is  also  the  part  of  wisdom  not  to  forget  that, 
though  the  country  is  alive  with  delights  for  us 
when  all  nature  is  garbed  in  green  and  the  song- 
birds carol  in  the  elms  and  maples,  there  cometh 
a  time — if  we  are  of  the  north — when  fur  caps  are 
in  season,  the  coal  scoop  is  in  every  man's  hand, 
the  snow  shovel  splintereth,  and  the  lawn  mower 
is  at  rest.  Then  it  is  that  our  allegiance  to  coun- 
try life  will  be  strained,  if  ever — particularly  if  we 
have  provided  ourselves  with  a  ten-minute  walk  to 
the  station.  Wading  through  snow  against  a  winter 
wind,  we  see  the  "  agreeable  constitutional  "  of  the 
milder  days  in  a  different  light. 

We  should  think  of  all  these  things,  and  of  some 
sacrifices  purely  personal.  It  is  better  to  think 
now  than  after  the  moving  man's  bill  has  come  in. 
Eeason  as  we  may,  regrets  will  come,  perhaps  lone- 
liness. But  the  compensations,  if  we  have  chosen 
wisely,  will  be  increasingly  apparent,  and  we  shall 
be  the  very  exceptions  of  exceptions  if,  before  the 
second  summer  has  passed,  we  are  not  wedded  be- 
yond divorce  to  the  new  home. 

Once  determined  upon  forswearing  urban  resi- 
dence, a  multitude  of  considerations  arise.  First 
of  these  is  "  Which  place  f  "  Our  suburban  towns 
have  been  developed  in  two  ways.  Some  are 


8  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

"  made  to  order,"  while  others  were  originally  rural 
villages  but  have  come  under  metropolitan  influ- 
ence. Living  in  the  latter  is  likely  to  be  less  expen- 
sive, and  local  life  may  have  more  of  a  distinctive 
character;  but  the  husk  of  the  past  is  almost  cer- 
tain to  be  evident  in  the  mixture  of  old  and  modern 
houses  and  in  a  certain  offish  separation  of  the 
native  and  incoming  elements.  The  "  made-to- 
order  "  town  is  likely  to  exhibit  better  streets  and 
sidewalks,  to  be  more  capably  cared  for,  to  be  freer 
from  shanties,  and  to  possess  no  saloons.  Land  and 
living  may  demand  greater  expenditure,  but  they 
will  be  worth  the  difference. 

SCHOOLS  AND  CHURCHES 

With  ninety-nine  out  of  a  hundred  families  the 
deciding  argument  in  favor  of  going  to  the  suburb 
has  just  got  into  short  dresses  and  begun  to  say 
"  Da-da."  Already  we  see  pointings  to  the  child- 
ish activities  that  we  would  not  check.  No  one  who 
stops  to  think  about  it  chooses  to  have  his  children 
play  in  the  city  streets  or  be  confined  to  a  flat 
during  the  open  months.  For  the  children's  sake, 
if  not  for  our  own,  we  turn  to  the  country,  and  one 
of  our  first  thoughts  is  for  the  children's  school. 

I  called  on  a  young  business  acquaintance  re- 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  9 

cently  and  found  him  engrossed  in  examining  a 
pile  of  college  catalogues.  "  Going  in  for  a  post- 
grad? "  I  inquired.  "  Why,  haven't  you  heard?  " 
he  responded.  "It's  a  boy — week  ago  Saturday. 
Er — would  you  say  Yale  or  Harvard?  " 

This  was  preparedness  with  a  vengeance,  to  be 
sure;  but  almost  before  we  realize  that  infancy  is 
past,  the  boy  and  girl  will  be  ready  for  school,  and 
it  is  important  to  know  that  the  right  school  will 
be  ready  for  them.  Happily,  the  suburban  school 
is  usually  of  special  excellence,  and  the  chief 
thought  must  be  of  distance  and  whether  the  chil- 
dren will  need  to  cross  dangerous  railroad  tracks. 

We  shall,  of  course,  wish  to  be  where  there  are 
strong  churches,  with  a  society  of  our  chosen  de- 
nomination, if  possible.  It  may  be  that  the  social 
life  which  has  its  center  there  will  provide  all  the 
relaxation  we  require;  if  we  seek  outside  circles, 
it  is  desirable  to  know  whether  we  are  likely  to 
please  and  be  pleased.  Always  there  is  the  subur- 
ban club;  but  not  always  is  the  suburban  club 
representative  of  the  really  best  people  of  the  town. 

TRANSPORTATION 

On  the  practical  side  a  question  of  large  im- 
portance is  that  of  transportation.  The  fast  trains 


10  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

may  make  the  run  in  twenty  minutes,  but  we  shall 
not  always  catch  the  fast  trains,  and  the  others  may 
take  forty.  Morning  and  evening  they  should  be 
so  frequent  that  we  need  not  lose  a  whole  hour  on 
a  "  miss."  In  stormy  weather  we  must  find  shelter 
in  the  station,  comfortable  or  uncomfortable.  On 
the  husband's  monthly  ticket  the  rides  may  cost 
only  a  dime ;  when  the  wife  and  her  visiting  friends 
go  to  the  matinee  each  punch  counts  for  a  quarter, 
and  four  quarters  make  a  dollar.  To  the  time  of 
the  train  must  be  added  the  walk  or  ride  from  the 
downtown  station  to  the  office,  and  the  return  walk 
from  the  home  station.  A  near-by  electric  line  for 
emergencies  may  sometimes  save  an  appointment. 
None  of  these  things  alone  will  probably  give  pause 
to  our  plans,  but  all  will  weigh  in  our  general  satis- 
faction or  disagreement  with  suburban  life. 

THE  BUTCHER,  THE  BAKER,  AND  THE  CANDLE- 
STICK MAKER 

Not  every  suburb  is  blessed  with  a  perfectly 
healthful  water  supply.  We  must  make  sure  of 
that.  We  want  to  find  stores  and  markets  suffi- 
cient to  our  smaller  needs,  at  least,  and  to  be  within 
city  delivery  bounds,  so  that  the  man  of  the  house 
shall  not  be  required  to  make  of  himself  a  beast  of 
burden.  We  hope,  if  we  must  employ  a  cook,  that 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  11 

the  milkman,  iceman,  and  grocery  boy  will  prove 
acceptable  to  her,  for  the  policeman  is  sure  to  be 
a  dignified  native  of  family.  We  want  the  tele- 
phone without  a  prohibitive  toll,  electric  light  and 
gas  of  good  quality  at  reasonable  rates,  streets 
paved  and  well  cared  for,  sidewalks  of  cement, 
reasonable  fire  and  police  protection,  a  progressive 
community  spirit,  and  a  reputation  for  our  town 
that  will  make  us  proud  to  name  it  as  our  place  of 
abode. 

THE   HOME  ACRE 

All  these  things  may  be  had  in  scores  of  Ameri- 
can suburbs  and  smaller  cities.  But  when  we  have 
selected  the  one  or  more  towns  that  may  please  us, 
and  get  down  to  the  house  or  lot,  our  range  of 
choice  will  be  found  rather  narrow.  In  the  neighbor- 
hoods we  would  select,  it  is  probable  that  few  houses 
are  to  be  rented.  Most  of  them  have  been  built  for 
occupancy  by  their  owners,  who,  if  forced  to  go 
elsewhere,  have  preferred  selling  to  renting.  There 
is  no  prejudice  against  renters,  but  the  sentiment 
is  against  renting,  and  this  sentiment  is  well 
grounded  in  common  sense.  Still,  some  families 
find  it  advisable  to  rent  for  a  year  or  so,  meanwhile 
studying  the  local  conditions  and  selecting  a  build- 


12  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ing  site.  This  plan  has  much  to  commend  it, 
though  it  makes  a  second  move  necessary.  Others, 
who  do  not  feel  assured  that  a  change  in  business 
will  not  compel  an  early  removal,  wisely  prefer  to 
rent,  if  a  suitable  house  can  be  found  for  what  they 
can  afford  to  pay. 

COMPARATIVE  COST   IN   RENTING 

The  proportion  of  income  that  may  be  set  aside 
for  rent  depends  on  what  that  payment  covers.  In 
a  steam-heated  city  flat  with  complete  janitor  serv- 
ice, for  instance,  the  rent  at  $40  is  really  no 
higher  than  the  $25  suburban  house,  for  heat  and 
water  rent  are  included.  With  the  former,  per- 
haps as  much  as  a  third  of  one's  income  could  be 
spared  for  the  fixed  charge  of  rent;  but  in  the 
country  the  proportion  cannot  with  safety  be 
greater  than  a  fifth.  Few  satisfactory  suburban 
houses  can  be  rented  under  $35,  and  to  this  must 
be  added  the  cost  not  only  of  coal  and  water,  but  of 
maintenance.  On  the  whole,  we  are  pretty  sure  to 
decide  that  it  is  better  and  cheaper  to  buy  than 
to  rent. 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  13 


THE  LOCATION   SENSE 

There  is  some  advantage  in  being  able  to  se- 
cure a  lot  in  a  square  already  built  up.  If  present 
conditions  are  satisfactory  we  may  feel  reasonably 
sure  that  they  will  remain  so.  We  know  who  our 
neighbors  are  to  be,  the  sort  of  houses  and  other 
improvements  that  will  affect  the  sightliness  and 
value  of  our  own  property,  and  the  surroundings 
that  should  in  some  degree  govern  the  style  of  our 
abode.  There  is  little  of  the  speculative  in  such  a 
choice,  but  we  shall  have  to  pay  something  extra 
for  our  assurances. 

In  a  well  built-up  town,  however,  we  are  likely 
to  find  a  more  eligible  natural  site  at  less  cost  if  we 
are  not  too  insistent  upon  being  close  to  the  rail- 
way station.  The  best  sites  in  the  older  sections 
are  already  occupied  or  are  held  at  a  premium. 
If  we  have  an  eye  for  location  and  the  courage  of 
our  convictions,  we  may  chance  upon  an  excellent 
lot  that  can  be  had  for  a  comparatively  small  price 
because  of  its  detachment.  It  may  be  so  situated 
that  the  approach  is  through  the  choicest  part  of 
the  village,  affording  us  much  of  the  charm  of 
suburban  life  without  additional  cost.  Provided 
sewer,  water,  light,  sidewalks,  and  paving  are  in, 


14  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

a  little  greater  distance  from  the  center  may  be 
well  repaid  by  the  beauty  of  the  site,  and  after  the 
family  becomes  accustomed  to  it  the  distance  is 
scarcely  noticed.  Where  there  are  telephones  and 
local  delivery  of  mail  and  groceries,  occasions  for 
going  uptown  are  not  frequent. 

SIZE   OF   LOT 

The  lot  should  have  at  least  50  foot  frontage 
and  be,from  150  to  200  feet  in  depth.  Many  sub- 
divisions are  now  platted  without  alleys,  which  are 
not  desirable  unless  scrupulously  maintained.  The 
site  should,  if  practicable,  be  on  a  plateau  or  ele- 
vation that  gives  an  outlook,  or  at  least  makes 
natural  drainage  certain.  A  lot  below  street  level 
means  expensive  filling  to  be  done. 

POSITION 

There  can  be  little  question  as  to  the  special 
desirability  of  an  east  frontage.  With  this  ex- 
posure the  morning  sunlight  falls  upon  the  living 
room  when  least  in  use,  while  the  afternoon  glare 
finds  the  principal  work  of  the  kitchen  accom- 
plished. The  indispensable  veranda  on  the  east 
and  south  is  also  usable  for  a  maximum  portion  of 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  15 

the  day,  while  the  more  solid  side  of  the  structure, 
being  opposed  to  the  prevailing  winter  winds, 
makes  the  heating  problem  easier. 

OUTLOOK  AND   INLOOK 

Though  we  should  not  pay  too  much  premium 
for  an  east  front,  it  is  always  most  salable,  and  the 
difference  will  come  back  if  we  should  dispose  of 
the  property  later.  Outlook  and  protection  against 
being  shut  in  should  be  assured.  Our  own  prop- 
erty may  be  "  gilt  edge,"  but  if  the  man  across  the 
way  has  backed  up  a  barn  or  chicken  yard  in  front 
of  us  our  joy  in  life  will  be  considerably  lessened. 
Our  home  is  both  to  look  at  and  to  look  out  from, 
and  we  do  more  of  the  latter  than  of  the  former. 
There  are  only  two  ways  to  make  sure  of  not  being 
shut  in,  unless  the  adjacent  lots  are  already  im- 
proved. These  are  to  buy  enough  ground  to  give 
space  on  either  side,  or  to  secure  a  corner.  Some- 
times a  corner  at  a  higher  price  is  the  cheaper  in 
the  end. 

Certainly  it  is  advisable,  even  though  our  own 
house  be  not  high-priced,  to  discover  if  there  is 
a  building  restriction  to  prevent  the  erection  of 
cheap  structures  near  by.  This  is  regulated  usu- 
ally by  a  stipulation  in  the  deeds  from  the  original 


16  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

subdivider.  Without  this  guaranty  even  a  high 
price  for  lots  does  not  insure  that  some  fellow  who 
has  put  most  of  his  money  into  the  ground  may  not 
put  up  a  woodshed  next  door  and  live  in  it  until 
he  can  build  a  house.  We  shall  not  find  it  amiss, 
either,  to  know  something  of  the  character  of  the 
owners  of  .the  adjoining  property,  for  if  they  are 
real-estate  men  there  is  a  probability  of  their  put- 
ting up  houses  built  to  sell.  Non-resident  owners 
may  be  expected  to  allow  their  vacant  lots  to  re- 
main unkempt  and  to  object  to  all  improvement 
assessments. 

TREES 

Trees  on  the  lot  are  a  valuable  asset,  though 
dislike  for  sacrificing  them,  if  carried  too  far,  may 
result  in  shutting  out  the  sunlight  that  is  more 
essential  than  shade  to  health.  Cottonwood,  wil- 
lows, and  even  the  pretty  catalpa  are  to  be  shunned 
in  the  interest  of  tidiness.  On  a  50-  or  even  a 
100-foot  lot  we  cannot  have  many  trees  without 
overshadowing  the  house.  A  few  away  from  the 
building,  not  crowded  together,  will  give  more 
satisfaction  than  a  grove  and  be  less  a  detriment 
to  health.  Ordinarily  grass  will  not  grow  to  ad- 
vantage where  there  is  much  shade ;  and  a  beautiful 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  17 

lawn,  though  open  to  the  sunlight,  is  not  only  more 
attractive  but  much  more  serviceable  than  ground 
in  heavy  shadow  and  covered  with  sparse  grass. 

INCOME  AND   EXPENDITURE 

Prices  of  vacant  property  in  different  sections 
vary  so  greatly  that  one  cannot  safely  approximate 
the  cost  of  a  building  lot.  It  is  safe  to  say,  though, 
that  if  values  are  figured  on  a  proper  basis,  a  satis- 
factory site  for  a  moderate-priced  home  can  be 
purchased  for  $1,000  in  the  town  of  our  choice. 

We  have  made  it  clear  to  ourselves  that  a  home 
— anyone's  home — should  be  much  more  than  a 
house  plumped  down  upon  any  bit  of  ground  that 
will  hold  it.  When  we  come  to  consider  the  house 
itself,  we  are  confronted  by  the  knowledge  that 
here  the  tastes  and  habits,  as  well  as  the  size  and 
resources  of  the  family,  must  govern  the  decision 
of  many  problems  considered.  Numbers  alone  are 
not  always  a  fair  guide,  for  sometimes  the  man  or 
the  woman  of  the  house,  or  the  baby,  counts  for 
much  more  than  one  in  figuring  space  require- 
ments. 

We  have  in  mind  here  that  we  are  a  family  of 
four,  that  we  have  an  income  of  from  $1,500  to 
$2,500,  and  that  we  are  prepared  to  spend  or  obli- 


18  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

gate  ourselves  to  spend  from  $2,000  to  $3,500  for 
a  house  to  go  on  a  lot  to  cost  $1,000.  The  house 
we  think  of  would  be  not  too  large  for  two  and 
certainly  would  comfortably  accommodate  five  or 
even  six,  depending  upon  their  relations  to  one 
another.  The  extremes  of  income  mentioned  would 
scarcely  affect  our  plans,  and  the  difference  in  cost 
is  accounted  for  by  the  choice  of  nonessentials  and 
not  by  differences  in  the  principal  features  of  the 
house. 

STYLE 

Now,  if  we  have  already  set  our  hearts  upon 
having  a  house  just  like  that  "  love  of  a  place  "  we 
saw  in  Wayout-on-the-Hill  the  other  day,  we  shall 
have  to  reconsider  the  entire  lot  proposition.  We 
may  as  well  face  the  fact  that  the  house  which  is 
everything  appropriate  and  artistic  in  one  place 
may  in  another  be  simply  grotesque.  In  this  phase 
of  the  selective  work  we  will  profit  by  the  advice 
of  the  architect,  if  he  be  something  of  an  artist 
and  not  simply  a  draughtsman.  At  any  rate,  if  we 
have  the  lot,  let  us  decide  what  style  of  house 
should  be  on  it;  if  we  are  surely  settled  upon  the 
house,  then  by  all  means  let  us  get  a  lot  it  will  fit — 
and  have  a  care,  too,  with  regard  to  the  style  of 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  19 

architecture  (or  lack  of  it)  in  our  prospective 
neighbors'  houses. 

There  have  been  two  extremes  in  later  Ameri- 
can home  architecture — overornamentation  and  ab- 
solute disregard  for  appearance.  The  first  arose 
from  a  feeling  that  every  dollar  spent  in  the  inter- 
est of  art  ( !)  should  be  so  gewgawed  to  the  outer 
world  that  all  who  passed  might  note  the  costliness 
and  wonder.  The  second  extreme  had  its  birth  in 
an  elementary  practicality  that  believes  anything 
artistic  must  be  both  extravagant  and  useless. 

None  of  us  can  afford  to  build  a  house  merely 
for  its  artistic  qualities.  Yet  we  feel  that  we  owe 
it  to  our  neighbors  and  to  the  community  to  make 
the  house  sightly.  Most  of  all,  we  owe  it  to  our- 
selves, for  the  product  of  our  plans  will  be  the 
concrete  expression  of  our  personality.  Fortu- 
nately showiness  is  neither  necessary  nor  desir- 
able; while  artistic  qualities  are  not  so  much  a 
matter  of  money  as  of  thought.  A  few  days  ago, 
in  a  suburb  of  a  Western  city,  I  passed  two  houses 
recently  constructed.  One  was  simply  an  enlarged 
drygoods  box  with  a  few  windows  and  doors 
broken  into  its  sides — altogether  a  hideous  disfig- 
urement to  the  charming  spot  on  which  it  was 
erected.  Across  the  way  stood  the  other  cottage, 


20  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

with  the  same  number  of  rooms  as  its  vis-a-vis, 
but  really  exquisite  in  its  simple  beauty.  And  the 
latter,  I  was  told,  though  equally  spacious,  cost  less 
than  the  monstrosity  across  the  way !  Into  the  one 
there  was  put  thought;  into  the  other  none.  Can 
we  resist  an  opinion  as  to  which  home  will  be  the 
happier? 

SIZE 

Should  we  be  somewhat  limited  in  funds,  we 
may  have  to  make  a  selection  between  a  large  house 
finished  in  cheaper  materials  and  a  small  house  of 
the  best  quality  all  through.  Doubtless  much  of 
the  "  hominess  "  that  attaches  us  to  some  houses 
is  due  to  their  snugness,  but  not  all  of  it.  Size  is 
secondary  to  adaptation  to  the  family  requirements. 
Waste  space  is  an  abomination,  because  it  adds  un- 
necessarily to  the  burden  of  the  housekeeper ;  yet  to 
be  so  cramped  that  everything  must  be  moved  every 
day  is  not  a  satisfactory  alternative.  There  should 
be  some  reserve  not  only  for  emergencies  but  for 
future  needs  that  may  be  foreseen.  As  the  chil- 
dren grow  up  they  will  demand  more  room,  and  we 
shall  want  to  give  it  to  them.  If  we  do  not  care 
to  maintain  surplus  space  for  possible  needs,  the 
house  should  at  least  be  planned  with  a  view  to 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  21 

making  additions  that  will  be  in  keeping  with  the 
general  effect  and  will  readily  fall  in  with  the 
practical  arrangement  of  the  house. 

What  is  said  ahout  emergency  space  applies 
principally  to  the  sleeping  apartments.  There  is 
an  altogether  happy  tendency  in  these  days  to 
simplify  the  living  rooms  and  to  plan  them  for 
constant  use.  We  of  the  East  have  something  to 
learn  from  the  Californians,  whose  bungalows  and 
cottages  are  so  often  models  of  simplicity  without 
the  crudeness  of  most  small  houses  in  other  sec- 
tions. Our  coast  brethren  have  demonstrated  that 
a  four-  or  five-room  cottage  will  satisfactorily  house 
a  considerable  family,  and  that  it  may  be  given  the 
characteristics  that  charm  without  increasing  the 
cost. 

PLANS   FOR   BUILDING 

The  simplest  and  in  many  instances  the  pret- 
tiest cottages  are  of  only  a  single  story.  But  more 
than  four  rooms  in  one  story  makes  a  compara- 
tively expensive  house,  besides  using  up  a  great 
deal  of  ground.  With  the  foundation,  first  story, 
and  roof  provided  for,  the  second  story  adds  little 
to  the  cost  compared  to  the  space  gained.  Where 
ground  and  labor  are  cheap  the  single  story  is  to 

3 


22  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

be  considered;  but  in  most  places  it  would  not  be 
practicable  for  us. 

In  planning  the  house  due  regard  must  be  had 
for  the  dispositions  of  the  respective  members  of 
the  family.  In  any  event  we  shall  not  please  all 
of  them,  but  the  less  the  others  have  to  complain 
about  the  happier  the  rest  of  us  shall  be. 

NECESSARY   ROOMS 

If  paterfamilias  is  accustomed  to  depositing 
his  apparel  and  other  belongings  rather  promiscu- 
ously about,  expecting  to  find  things  where  they 
were  left  on  his  return  in  the  evening,  it  may  be 
better  to  plan  his  room  where  it  may  stand  undis- 
turbed rather  than  to  attempt  the  breaking  of  a 
habit  which  shows  that  he  feels  at  home  in  his  own 
house.  Likewise,  some  place  there  should  be  where 
the  mistress  may  conduct  her  sewing  operations 
without  wildly  scrambling  to  clean  up  when  the 
doorbell  rings;  the  children  should  have  at  least 
one  place  in  the  house  where  they  may  "  let  loose  " 
on  a  rainy  day,  and  the  master  should  have  some- 
where a  retreat  safe  from  interruption,  as  well  as 
a  workroom  in  the  basement  in  which  the  tools  and 
implements  that  quickly  accumulate  in  a  country 
home  may  be  secure. 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE 


THE   SICK    ROOM 

Sickness,  too,  may  come,  and  the  questions  of 
privacy  without  an  unwholesome  curb  upon  both 
children  and  adults,  of  convenience  to  hot  water 
and  the  bathroom,  of  saving  steps  for  the  nurse, 
should  be  thought  of.  An  upstairs  chamber  is 
likely  to  be  best  on  account  of  the  ventilation, 
lighting,  and  distance  from  ordinary  noises;  but 
frequent  journeys  to  the  kitchen  mean  an  excess 
of  stair  climbing.  Whether  there  be  sickness  or 
not,  there  should  be  somewhere  provision  for  in- 
dividual privacy,  where  absolute  rest  may  be 
gained. 

A  large  indulgence  in  entertaining  must  have 
its  influence  in  settling  both  size  and  arrangement. 
Ordinarily,  however,  we  may  expect  to  be  reason- 
ably hospitable  without  enlarging  our  home  into 
a  clubhouse.  If  we  do  not  consider  this  matter  in 
building,  propriety  must  compel  us  afterwards  to 
limit  our  company  to  numbers  that  we  can  com- 
fortably care  for. 


24  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ROOM  TO   ENTERTAIN 

A  good  many  of  us  who  have  contrived  very 
nicely  to  live  in  a  six-room  city  flat  seem  to  think 
that  we  cannot  get  along  with  that  number  of  rooms 
in  a  suburban  house,  though  the  latter  would  be 
considerably  more  spacious,  not  taking  the  base- 
ment into  account.  So  far,  however,  as  absolute 
essentials  go,  a  six-room  house,  carefully  planned, 
will  provide  for  a  family  of  four  very  comfortably, 
and  it  can  be  built  in  an  artistic  and  modern  style 
for  $2,500  near  Chicago,  about  ten  per  cent  more 
in  the  vicinity  of  New  York,  and  probably  for  a 
less  sum  in  smaller  cities.  An  eight-room  house 
would  cost  about  a  third  more,  and  is,  of  course, 
in  many  ways  more  desirable.  But,  generally 
speaking,  we  demand  more  room  than  we  really 
need,  and  then  put  ourselves  to  additional  expense 
filling  up  the  space  with  unnecessary  furniture. 

THE   "LIVING   ROOM" 

In  small  houses  there  cannot  be  great  variation 
in  the  proportioning  of  space,  but  it  is  important 
that  the  use  of  each  room  should  be  well  under- 
stood and  that  it  should  be  planned  accordingly. 
If  that  is  not  done  our  decorative  and  furnishing 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  25 

schemes  later  on  will  be  misapplied.  Families  dif- 
fer as  to  their  dispositions  toward  rooms.  Most 
of  us  would  not  think  of  calling  for  an  old-fash- 
ioned parlor  in  a  small  house  nowadays,  but  merely 
to  change  the  name  from  "  parlor "  to  "  living 
room  "  doesn't  change  our  habits.  The  living  room 
is  meant  to  take  the  place  of  parlor,  library,  recep- 
tion hall,  and  sitting  room.  If  the  family  adjust 
themselves  to  it  a  great  saving  of  space  is  effected, 
and  the  home  life  is  given  added  enjoyment.  Not 
all  of  us,  however,  can  fit  ourselves  to  new  ideas, 
and  it  is  better  to  suit  ourselves  than  to  be  uncom- 
fortable and  feel  out  of  place  in  the  home. 

The  living-room  plan  in  a  small  house  reduces 
the  reception  hall  to  something  little  more  than  a 
vestibule,  but  where  six  rooms  are  exceeded  the 
reception  hall  may  be  enlarged  and  made  service- 
able. The  first  impression  counts  for  much,  not 
only  with  our  guests  but  with  ourselves,  and  if  the 
hall  be  appropriately  finished  and  fitted  it  seems 
fairly  to  envelop  one  with  its  welcome.  One  thing 
that  must  be  insured,  whatever  form  the  entrance 
may  take,  is  that  it  shall  not  be  necessary  to  pass 
through  the  living  room  to  reach  other  parts  of  the 
house. 


26  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 


THE   DINING   ROOM  AND   KITCHEN 

Vastness  is  not  essential  to  the  dining  room. 
Under  usual  conditions  we  are  not  likely  to  seat 
more  than  a  dozen  persons  at  our  table,  and  a  din- 
ner party  exceeding  that  number  is  too  large  for 
common  enjoyment.  Connection  with  the  kitchen 
should  be  convenient  without  having  the  proximity 
too  obvious.  City  kitchens  are  now  usually  made 
just  large  enough  to  accommodate  required  para- 
phernalia and  to  afford  sufficient  freeway  for  the 
cook.  Many  families  do  no  home  baking,  and 
where  fruit  and  vegetables  are  preserved  the  base- 
ment is  utilized.  Compactness  in  the  kitchen  saves 
hundreds  of  steps  in  the  course  of  a  day,  and 
though  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  forget  the  spacious 
room  thought  necessary  by  our  parents,  we  may 
well  learn,  for  our  own  comfort,  to  profit  by  the 
modern  reasoning  that  opposes  waste  space.  Still, 
it  is  better  to  defy  modern  tendencies  and  even  to 
pain  the  architect  than  that  the  faithful  house- 
keeper who  clings  tenaciously  to  the  old  idea 
should  be  made  miserable.  Some  persons  feel  per- 
petually cramped  in  a  small  room,  whereas  others 
only  note  the  snugness  of  it. 


CHOOSING    A    PLACE    TO    LIVE  27 


THE   SLEEPING   ROOMS 

The  general  well-being  of  the  family  is  more 
directly  affected  by  the  character  of  the  bed  cham- 
bers than  by  any  other  department  of  the  house. 
However  we  may  permit  ourselves  to  be  skimped 
in  the  living  rooms,  it  is  imperative  that  the  sleep- 
ing apartments  should  be  large — not  barnlike,  of 
course — well  lighted,  dry,  and  airy.  Three  large 
rooms  are  in  every  way  preferable  to  four  small 
ones.  It  is,  to  be  sure,  sometimes  difficult  to  put 
the  windows  where  they  will  let  in  the  sunlight, 
the  registers  where  they  will  heat,  and  the  wall 
space  where  it  will  permit  the  sleeper  to  have  fresh 
air  without  a  draught.  But  marvels  in  the  way  of 
ingenious  planning  have  been  evolved  where  neces- 
sity, the  mother  of  invention,  has  ruled;  and  as- 
suredly there  is  no  greater  necessity  than  a  health- 
ful bedroom. 

The  children's  bedroom  in  the  house  of  six  to 
eight  rooms  is  likely  to  be  utilized  as  a  nursery  or 
playroom  on  rainy  days  or  in  winter.  It  should 
have  an  abundance  of  sunlight.  The  largest  and 
best  room  of  all  should  be  used  by  the  heads  of 
the  household.  To  reserve  the  choicest  apartment 
for  the  chance  guest  is  an  absurdity  that  sensible 


28  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

people  have  abandoned.  If  we  must,  we  may  sur- 
render our  room  temporarily  to  the  visitor,  but 
the  persons  who  live  in  a  house  twelve  months  of 
the  year  are  entitled  to  the  best  it  affords.  Flat 
living  has  taught  us  to  make  use  of  all  our  rooms, 
and  perhaps  its  influence  is  against  hospitality ;  but 
we  need  not  neglect  that  very  important  feature  of 
a  happy  home  in  doing  ourselves  simple  justice. 

THINKING   IT   OUT 

If  we  would  be  quite  sure  of  it — to  use  a  Hiber- 
nianism — we  should  live  in  our  house  at  least  a 
year  before  it  is  built.  We  need  an  imagination 
that  will  not  only  perceive  our  castle  in  all  its 
stages  of  construction  but  will  picture  us  in  pos- 
session. Advice  is  not  to  be  disdained,  and  a  good 
architect  we  shall  find  to  be  a  blessing;  but  the 
happiness  of  our  home  will  be  in  double  measure 
if  we  can  feel  that  something  of  ourselves  has  gone 
into  its  creation.  And  this  something  we  should 
not  expect  to  manifest  genius,  or  even  originality, 
but  tasteful  discrimination. 


CHAPTER  II 

FLOOKS,    WALLS,    AND   WINDOWS 

TRADITION  has  established  the  condition  of 
her  floors  as  the  prime  test  of  a  good  house- 
keeper, and  the  amount  of  effort  that  faith- 
ful homemakers  have  had  to  waste  upon  splintery, 
carelessly  laid  cheap  boards  would,  if  it  could  be 
represented  in  money,  buy  marble  footing  for  all 
of  us. 

But  we  don't  want  marble  floors.  We  are  not 
building  a  palace  or  a  showplace,  but  a  house  to 
live  in.  We  are  not  seeking  magnificence,  but 
comfort  and  durability  (which  are  almost  always 
allied),  as  well  as  sightliness  (which  is  not  always 
in  the  combination). 

THE  NECESSITY  OF  GOOD  FLOORS 

Happily,  when  we  come  to  floors  we  find  that 
those  which  may  be  depended  upon  to  endure  and 
to  give  their  share  of  home  comfort  are  also  the 
best  to  look  upon.  It  would  be  agreeable  to  say, 


30  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

further,  that  they  cost  least,  but  that  would  be  mis- 
leading. This  book  fails  to  say  not  a  few  things 
that  would  be  interesting  but  which  wouldn't  be  of 
much  real  use  to  the  homemaker,  because  they 
aren't  so. 

Leaving  the  everlastingly  pestiferous  question 
of  cost  aside,  what  is  the  best  all-around  flooring? 
Well,  so  far  no  one  has  been  able  to  suggest  any- 
thing that  seems  so  appropriate  as  a  good  quality 
of  hard  wood — which  means  oak  or  maple,  or  both 
— properly  treated  and,  above  all,  laid  down  as  it 
should  be.  The  flooring  is  a  permanent  part  of 
the  house,  or,  if  it  isn't,  we'll  certainly  wish  it  had 
been.  As  it  is  subject  to  harder  and  more  constant 
usage  than  any  other  part  of  the  structure,  it  must 
be  strong,  and  it  must  have  a  surface  that  will  re- 
sist wear,  or  we  shall  simply  store  up  trouble  for 
the  future.  It  is  also  a  part  of  the  decorative 
scheme,  and  as  such  must  help  to  furnish  the  key- 
note of  our  plans.  All  these  requirements  are  met 
by  hard  wood. 

It  is  possible,  we  may  admit,  to  have  a  happy 
and  comfortable  home  with  cheaper  flooring ;  but 
the  price  that  is  not  paid  in  money  will  be  after- 
wards collected  with  interest  in  effort  and  sacrifice 
of  satisfaction.  Doubtless  it  is  not  wise,  as  some 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        31 

one  suggests,  to  put  so  much  money  into  our  floors 
that  we  cannot  afford  to  buy  anything  to  put  on 
them ;  but  in  many  instances  the  appearance  of  our 
house  interiors  would  be  much  more  pleasing  if 
fewer  pieces  of  superfluous  furniture  were  brought 
in  to  cover  the  floors.  At  any  rate,  the  longed-for 
furniture  may  be  "  saved  up  for  "  and  bought  later ; 
a  mistake  in  floors  to  start  with  is  hard  to  rectify. 

MATERIAL  AND  COST  OF   LAYING 

Oak  flooring  comes  in  narrow,  thin  strips  of 
plain-  or  quarter-sawed.  At  this  writing  the  plain- 
sawed  costs,  laid,  usually  16  cents  per  square  foot. 
It  will  never  be  cheaper.  Where  quarter-sawed  is 
desired,  a  cent  per  foot  must  be  added.  Borders, 
which  are  by  no  means  essential,  cost  from  20  to 
45  cents  per  lineal  foot  (laid).  In  a  country  house, 
where  local  artisans  do  the  laying,  the  expense  may 
be  somewhat  less  for  labor.  But  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  fine  floor  laying  is  a  trade  of  itself,  and 
that  the  time  to  make  sure  of  the  work  being  prop- 
erly done  is  when  the  wood  is  put  in.  If  the  build- 
ing is  properly  constructed,  a  bulging  or  cracked 
floor  is  unnecessary.  At  all  events,  if  we  are  in 
doubt  as  to  the  village  carpenter's  skill,  we  would 
do  well  to  pay  the  few  dollars  extra  for  the  expert 


32  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

from  the  city.    Careful  measurements  are  also  im- 
portant, especially  with  borders  and  parquetry. 

ORNAMENTAL   FLOORING 

The  hall,  if  large,  will  permit  of  rather  more 
elaborate  treatment  than  the  rooms  which  are  to 
be  constantly  occupied.  No  part  of  the  house  that 
is  in  use  for  hours  at  a  time  should  be  at  all  over- 
elaborated,  particularly  in  its  unchangeable  fea- 
tures. Care  must  be  taken  even  in  the  hall  to  avoid 
any  freakish  combination  that  will  either  stand  out 
conspicuously  or  demand  a  like  treatment  of  the 
walls. 

Some  folk  like  tiling  in  the  hall,  and  if  we  have 
little  more  than  a  vestibule,  tiling  is  quite  satisfac- 
tory. It  is  durable  and  can  be  easily  cleaned.  But 
if  the  hall  be  of  the  medium  or  generous  size,  par- 
quetry will  be  found  more  approvable  if  the  ex- 
pense can  be  afforded.  The  designs  are  richer 
without  being  so  glaring  as  many  of  the  tile  effects, 
and  the  wood  seems  to  have  less  harshness.  Rub- 
ber tiling,  however,  has  been  found  useful  in  places 
where  there  is  frequent  passing  in  and  outdoors, 
and  has  been  developed  in  some  pleasing  designs. 

The  additional  cost  for  parquetry  is  not  for- 
midable in  a  moderate-sized  hall.  Prices  range 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        33 

from  20  to  40  cents  per  square  foot,  according  to 
design.  We  shall  be  wisely  guided  in  choosing  a 
simple  square  arrangement  that  will  not  protest 
against  any  passable  decoration  of  the  walls.  Un- 
less the  hall  is  spacious  borders  would  better  be 
omitted.  They  need  to  have  the  effect  of  running 
into  hearths  and  stairways,  and  in  a  narrow  pas- 
sage the  center  will  be  too  crowded. 

Dining  room  and  living  room  suggest  the  quar- 
ter-sawed flooring,  the  former  admitting  perhaps 
the  stronger  border,  unless  the  two  rooms  are  in 
such  direct  connection  that  they  require  continuous 
treatment.  Upstairs,  plain-sawed  will  do  nicely 
for  the  hall  and  chambers,  and  also  for  the  bath- 
room if  it  is  not  tiled.  Borders,  of  course,  may 
be  dispensed  with  here,  as  there  should  be  no  sug- 
gestion of  overornamentation  in  the  permanent 
features  of  a  sleeping  room. 

For  the  kitchen  hard  maple  is  found  to  serve 
well.  One  may  not  find  it  amiss  to  inquire  into 
the  merits  and  costs  of  composition  and  rubber 
tiling,  but  they  are  not  essential  to  comfort  and 
cleanliness.  Here  we  are  concerned  with  essen- 
tials ;  it  is  fully  understood  that  we  have  our  own 
permission  to  go  farther  afield  in  pursuit  of  more 
costly  things  if  we  choose. 


34  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

WAXED,  VARNISHED,  AND  OILED    FLOORS 

Unless  there  are  small  children,  expert  opinion 
and  the  demands  of  beauty  favor  waxed  floors. 
Ordinarily  the  floor  must  be  rewaxed  about  every 
three  months,  but  a  pound  of  wax,  that  will  cover 
two  ordinary  sized  rooms,  costs  only  50  cents,  and 
it  may  be  applied  by  anyone.  To  keep  the  floors 
in  best  condition  the  wax  brush  should  be  passed 
over  them  every  fortnight. 

Varnish  floors  scratch  but  are  not  affected  by 
water,  and  on  the  whole  are  rather  more  popular 
than  oil  or  wax.  They  cost  something  less  to 
maintain,  and  are  less  conducive  to  embarrassing 
gyratics  on  the  part  of  dignified  persons  wearing 
slippery  shoes. 

If  we  may  not  demand  oak  or  maple  floors,  well- 
laid  Georgia  pine,  carefully  oiled  or  varnished, 
would  be  our  next  choice.  There  is  a  large  saving 
in  initial  expense,  and  perhaps  some  one  else  will 
be  using  them  five  years  from  now!  Though  we 
cannot  expect  to  get  anything  like  equal  satisfac- 
tion from  the  cheaper  wood  as  compared  with  oak, 
if  we  do  feel  bound  to  adopt  it  we  shall  have  less 
cause  for  complaint  later  if  we  view  very  carefully 
the  material  and  the  operations  of  laying  and  fin- 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        35 

• 
ishing.    Poor  workmanship  can  spoil  the  best  of 

materials ;  what  it  can  do  with  cheaper  stuff  is  ab- 
solutely unmentionable.  Paint  may  be  used  on  the 
upper  floors  and  even  limited  to  a  border  in  the 
bedrooms. 

CARPETS 

The  floors  would  not  be  quite  so  important  if 
we  were  planning  to  entirely  cover  up  their  beau- 
ties or  their  uglinesses  with  another  kind  of  beauty 
or  ugliness  in  the  form  of  carpets.  But  experience 
has  long  since  made  it  clear  to  all  of  us  that  rugs 
are  not  only  more  healthful  and  in  better  taste, 
but,  taken  by  and  large,  give  less  trouble  to  the 
housekeeper  than  carpets.  Owing  to  the  fixed  posi- 
tion of  the  latter  they  are,  too,  quality  for  quality, 
less  durable.  It  is  true  that  in  some  parts  of  the 
house  a  rug  or  carpet  fastened  down  may  be  de- 
sirable, but  with  good  floors  no  such  thing  will 
suggest  itself  in  the  living  rooms  at  least. 

LINOLEUM  AND  MATS 

Where  a  very  small  vestibule  is  substituted 
for  the  reception  hall  a  parquetry  or  tile  flooring 
would  be  left  uncovered.  Over  a  cheap  floor  a 
good  quality  of  linoleum,  costing  about  50  cents 


36  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

per  square  yard,  may  be  placed.  A  small  mat  of 
neat  design,  if  such  can  be  found,  will  take  care 
of  those  persons  who  have  the  foot-scraping  habit, 
regardless  of  what  they  scrape  upon,  though  the 
mat  outside  should  do  the  important  work.  Serv- 
iceable mats  are  seldom  things  of  beauty.  As  they 
come  under  the  head  of  floor  coverings,  it  may  be 
well  to  note  that  the  best  quality  leather  mat,  guar- 
anteed to  last  twenty  years,  costs  $1.25  a  square 
foot.  A  fair  imitation  may  be  had  for  less  than 
half  that  figure,  and  has  the  same  proportion  of 
value.  The  open-steel  mat  that  serves  best  with 
tenacious  mud  costs  50  cents  per  square  foot,  and 
for  rubber  we  must  add  a  half  or  double  the  price, 
depending  on  whether  we  demand  the  made-to- 
order  article  or  are  content  with  stock.  The  old 
reliable  cocoa  mat  may  be  had  from  35  cents  per 
square  foot  up,  and  is  quite  as  useful  and  scarcely 
uglier  than  the  others. 

THE   STAIRWAY 

For  appearance'  sake,  if  our  stairway  is  well 
constructed  of  good  woods,  we  should  forbear  to 
hide  it.  But  there  is  no  place  in  the  house  where 
little  Willie  can  more  effectively  proclaim  to  all 
the  household  world  his  possession  of  double-nailed 


AN  ARTISTIC  STAIRCASE  HALL. 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        37 

heels  than  on  the  unprotected  rises  of  the  stairway. 
Even  the  tiny  heels  of  the  mistress  of  the  home 
seem  to  clump  like  the  boots  of  a  giant  in  their 
numberless  journeys  up  and  down.  So  the  hall 
runner  must  have  a  place.  Perhaps  the  carpet 
will  be  of  red  or  green,  depending  on  the  walls, 
but  it  need  cost  little  more  than  $1  per  yard  for  a 
fair  quality.  It  is  put  down  with  stair  pads  ($1 
per  dozen)  and  ordinary  tacks,  and  the  expendi- 
ture of  10  cents  per  yard  for  a  professional  layer 
will  not  be  regretted.  The  amateur  who  can  do  a 
really  good  job  on  a  stair  carpet  is  a  rarity. 

RUGS 

The  Biglow  Bagdad  domestic  rug  in  27  by  54 
and  36  by  63-inch  sizes  is  inexpensive  but  looks 
and  wears  well  in  the  hall.  The  first  size  costs 
about  $4  and  the  second  $7.  A  little  better  qual- 
ity in  Anglo-Indian  or  Anglo-Persian  costs  a  dol- 
lar or  so  more  per  rug.  Where  there  is  constant 
direct  use  in  the  hall  we  will  do  wisely  to  get  either 
a  moderate-priced  article  that  may  be  renewed  or 
something  expensive  that  will  wear  indefinitely. 
Sometimes  the  latter  is  the  more  economical  plan. 
Very  often  halls  are  so  shaped  that  a  rug  must  be 
made  to  order.  It  is  better  to  do  this  and  have  a 

4 


38  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

good-sized  rug  that  will  lie  well  than  to  risk  trip- 
ping and  slipping  with  smaller  ones. 

For  the  living  room  a  variety  of  choice  in  rugs  is 
offered.  Attempts  to  utilize  a  number  of  small  rugs 
are  not  usually  joyous  in  their  outcome;  besides, 
the  floor  space  is  too  badly  broken  up.  The  large 
center  rug  holds  its  own,  with  some  reenforce- 
ment  in  the  alcove  or  perhaps  before  the  hearth. 

What  quality  the  rug  shall  be  depends  largely 
upon  the  length  of  our  purse;  yet  sagacity  and  a 
modest  fund  will  sometimes  do  more  than  plethora 
and  no  thought.  Design  selection  is  a  task  to  vex 
the  most  patient,  but  we  must  not  be  drawn  into  a 
hurried  decision.  If  we  are  near  enough  to  the 
business  house  with  which  we  are  dealing,  it  is 
advisable  to  have  a  selection  of  rugs  sent  out  for 
inspection  on  the  floors.  Seen  in  the  salesroom  and 
in  our  house  they  may  present  different  aspects. 

Generally  speaking,  the  showiest  designs  are  in 
the  cheaper  goods,  and  the  showier  a  cheap  article 
is  the  quicker  its  shoddy  qualities  will  be  made 
manifest.  Therefore,  if  we  must  count  the  pennies 
on  our  living-room  rug,  let  us  select  a  simple  de- 
sign with  a  good  body — something  that  will  be 
unobtrusive  even  when  it  begins  to  appeal  for 
replacement. 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        39 


There  is  a  considerable  range  of  Wiltons,  from 
the  so-called  Wilton  velvet  to  the  "  Eoyal "  Wil- 
ton. They  are  by  no  means  the  cheapest,  though 
one  may  go  fabulously  beyond  them  in  price;  but 
their  popularity  shows  them  to  be  a  good  average 
quality,  suited  to  the  home  planned  on  a  modest 
scale.  Body  Brussels,  although  not  affording  such 
rich  effects,  also  has  many  friends,  and  tapestry 
Brussels  may  be  considered.  There  are  names  in- 
numerable for  rugs  and  carpets,  some  of  which 
have  little  real  significance.  If  one  knows  a  good 
design  when  it  is  seen,  a  little  common-sense  obser- 
vation of  weights  and  weave  and  a  thoughtful 
comparison  of  prices  will  help  to  secure  the  best 
selections.  Here  are  some  specimen  sizes  and 
prices  quoted  by  one  establishment: 


SIZE. 

Body  Brussels. 

Biglow  Bagdad. 

Anglo-Indian. 

6  0  x    9.0. 

$18.00 

$25.00 

$30.00 

8.3  x  10.6  

22.50 

30.00 

45.00 

9  0  x  10  6 

25.00 

35  00 

50.00 

10  6  x  12  0 

32  50 

45  00 

65  00 

10.6  x  13.6  

35.00 

52.50 

75.00 

11  3  x  15.0 

42.50 

60.00 

80.00 

Saxony  Axminster,  9  by  12,  is  priced  at  $45, 
and  is  considered  to  be  more  serviceable  than  most 
grades  of  Wilton. 


40  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

For  the  dining  room  the  problem  is  about  the 
same  as  for  the  principal  apartment.  The  rug 
need  not  be  so  expensive  as  the  one  in  the  living 
room,  but  it  must  assuredly  be  of  the  enduring  sort. 

The  Scotch  Caledon  rugs  sometimes  solve  the 
difficulty  here.  Indeed,  they  are  not  out  of  place 
in  a  really  "  homey  "  living  room  or  elsewhere  in 
the  house.  They  are  made  of  wool,  woven  like  an 
ingrain,  with  no  nap,  and  are  especially  pleasing 
for  their  artistic  soft  colorings,  mostly  in  green 
or  blue  two-tone  effects.  They  are,  strictly  speak- 
ing, not  reversible,  but  some  designs  will  permit 
use  on  both  sides.  While  they  do  not  wear  quite 
so  well  as  a  Wilton,  they  come  at  least  a  fifth 
cheaper.  Prices  range  from  $9  for  a  4.6  by  7.6  to 
$45  for  a  12  by  15. 

The  sizes  we  have  mentioned  are  standard.  If 
our  rooms  have  been  planned  in  such  wise  as  to 
require  rugs  to  order  we  shall  have  to  add  ten  per 
cent  to  our  expenditures. 

ORIENTAL   RUGS 

The  subject  of  oriental  rugs,  to  be  intelligently 
discussed,  would  require  an  entire  book,  and  there 
are  books  that  may  be  and  should  be  studied  by 
those  who  can  afford  orientals.  Most  of  us  can- 


AN  OEIENTAL  EUG  OF  GOOD  DESIGN:    SHIEVAN. 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        41 

not.  There  are,  indeed,  good  reasons  for  the  high 
cost  of  the  genuine  oriental,  in  its  superior  color- 
ing, wide  range  of  design,  and  wonderful  dura- 
bility. The  right  sort  grows  richer  with  age.  But 
our  plans  are  not  so  much  for  posterity  as  for 
present  uses,  and  we  can  get  along  very  well  with- 
out testing  our  wits  in  the  oriental  rug  market.  It 
is  a  test  of  wits,  for  there  are  no  standards  of  size 
or  price,  and  spurious  goods  sometimes  get  into 
the  best  of  hands.  Small  Daghestans  and  Baloo- 
chistans  may  he  had  even  lower  than  $20,  but  any- 
thing we  would  care  to  have  in  living  room  or 
dining  room  would  take  $150  to  $200  from  our 
bank  account. 

KITCHEN   AND   UPPER   FLOORS 

In  the  kitchen,  and  perhaps  in  a  rear  vestibule, 
unless  the  floor  is  of  a  sort  to  be  easily  wiped  up, 
linoleum  may  be  demanded.  The  upper  hall  will 
require  a  continuation  of  the  stair  runner,  with 
perhaps  a  rug  if  it  broadens  out  at  the  landing. 
For  the  bed  chambers  the  question  of  individual 
use  must  be  thought  of.  Brussels  rugs  will  do  in 
most  cases.  A  large  rug  means  considerable  shift- 
ing to  get  at  the  floor,  but  is  the  more  comfortable. 
Smaller  rugs  will  permit  sweeping  under  the  bed 


42  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

without  moving  it  far,  and  should  be  placed  under 
the  casters,  which  will  injure  the  hard-wood  floors 
if  allowed  to  rest  directly  thereupon. 

MATTING  AND  CORDOMAN  CLOTH 

Next  in  choice  would  be  to  spend  25  or  30  cents 
a  yard  for  matting  and  cover  the  entire  floor,  add- 
ing one  or  two  rugs  to  head  off  the  shivery  feeling 
that  arises  from  a  contact  of  bare  feet  with  cold 
matting  on  a  winter  morning.  The  casters  will 
cut  the  matting,  too;  we  must  look  out  for  that. 
A  border  of  flooring,  painted  or  not,  may  be  left; 
but  generally,  if  anything  is  to  be  fastened  down, 
it  should  cover  the  entire  space,  avoiding  the  ugly 
accumulation  of  dust  that  otherwise  gathers  under 
the  edges. 

More  expensive  than  matting,  but  likely  to  be 
quite  satisfactory,  is  cordoman  cloth,  a  floor  cover- 
ing that  comes  in  plain  colors  and  may  be  easily 
swept  and  wiped  up.  It  costs  from  45  to  55  cents 
per  yard,  and  the  wadded  cotton  lining  that  goes 
with  it  is  very  cheap.  Considering  its  greater 
durability  than  matting,  cordoman  is  really  the 
more  economical,  and  the  homemaker  will  do  well 
to  investigate  its  merits. 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        43 
CHILDREN'S   ROOM  AND   "DEN" 

For  the  children's  room  linoleum  will  probably 
stand  the  wear  and  tear,  prove  more  hygienic,  and 
do  as  much  toward  deadening  noise  as  anything 
short  of  an  impossible  padding  could  do.  On  the 
porch  a  crex-fiber  rug  or  two — the  sort  that  stand 
rain  and  resist  moths — may  be  desired,  but  they 
can  wait  until  we  are  settled  and  have  found  our 
bearings.  The  "  den,"  if  there  is  to  be  one,  or  the 
separate  library,  may  in  the  one  instance  be  left 
to  individual  caprice,  in  the  other  to  good  judg- 
ment in  suiting  it  to  the  prevailing  thought. 

USES   OF   THE   DECORATOR 

If  we  have  not  done  so  before,  when  we  take 
up  consideration  of  the  walls  we  will,  if  we  can 
afford  it,  call  in  a  professional  decorator.  First, 
of  course,  we  will  make  sure  that  he  really  may  be 
of  service  to  us,  for  his  duty  is  to  give  practical 
and  artistic  development  to  the  more  or  less  vague 
ideas  of  which  we  have  become  possessed,  and  if 
he  seems,  from  examples  of  previous  work,  to  be 
wedded  to  a  "  style  "  of  his  own  that  would  not 
jibe  with  our  aspirations,  we  would  better  try  to 
struggle  along  without  him. 


44  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

But  it  is  possible  to  secure  the  services  of  a 
decorative  artist  for  a  sum  not  necessarily  tremen- 
dous, and  if  we  get  hold  of  a  sensible  fellow  his 
advice  will  be,  in  the  end,  worth  much  more  than 
the  extra  outlay.  If  he  is  a  sincere  artist,  he  will 
plan  just  as  carefully  for  a  modest  six-room  cot- 
tage as  for  a  mansion,  and  he  will  be  able  to  take 
the  good  points  of  our  own  schemes  and  adapt 
them  to  expert  application  without  making  us  feel 
too  insignificant. 

Explicit  advice  as  to  decoration,  where  there 
are  thousands  of  us,  each  in  different  circumstances 
and  with  variant  tastes,  would  be  rather  an  absurd- 
ity. We  may  emphasize  to  ourselves,  however,  a 
few  phases  of  the  decorative  problem  in  which  lack 
of  thought  would  lose  to  us  some  of  the  joys  of  a 
house  perfected. 

If  we  are  not  to  employ  a  decorator  we  must 
study  out  the  problem  for  ourselves.  To  leave  it 
for  the  painter  and  paperhanger  to  settle  would 
be  a  fatal  error.  Much  knowledge  may  be  gained 
by  the  study  of  books  and  magazine  articles,  pro- 
vided they  are  very  recent.  It  will  be  advisable  to 
weigh  this  knowledge  in  the  scales  of  practical  ob- 
servation, however,  in  houses  of  late  date.  This  is 
not  so  much  because  of  changes  in  fashion  as  for 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        45 

the  reason  that  improvements  in  process  are  always 
being  made,  and  even  the  omnipresent  folk  who 
write  books  sometimes  overlook  a  point.  Concern- 
ing fashion,  which  of  course  has  its  sway  in  deco- 
ration, we  will  remember  that  the  simplest  treat- 
ment survives  longest. 

WOOD   IN   DECORATION 

It  seems  that  with  the  steady  increase  in  cost 
of  lumber  we  have  grown  more  and  more  to  appre- 
ciate the  beauty  of  our  woods.  At  any  rate,  wood 
is  being  used  more  extensively  than  ever  in  inte- 
rior finishing.  This  is  in  some  ways  a  healthy 
tendency,  as  it  makes  for  simplicity  and  admits  of 
artistic  treatment  at  a  reasonable  cost. 

Hall,  living  room,  and  dining  room,  for  in- 
stance, may  be  treated  with  a  high  or  low  wood 
wainscoting  and  wooden  panels  extending  to  a 
wooden  cornice  at  the  ceiling.  The  wood  may  be 
a  weathered  oak,  and  between  the  panels  is  a  rough 
plaster  in  gray  or  tinted  to  suit  the  house  scheme. 
Friezes  and  plastic  cornices  are  somewhat  on  the 
wane,  in  smaller  houses  at  least ;  though,  of  course, 
they  will  never  go  out  of  use  altogether. 


46  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

PANELS   AND    PLASTER 

This  plaster  effect  is  less  expensive  than  40- 
cent  burlap  or  ordinary  white  calcimine  or  paper. 
The  picture  molding  may  be  at  the  bottom  of  the 
cornice.  Sometimes  the  cornice  is  dropped  to  a 
level  with  the  tops  of  the  doors  and  windows  (usu- 
ally about  seven  feet),  leaving  a  frieze  of  two  or 
three  feet,  the  molding  then  going  to  the  top  of 
the  cornice.  Ceilings  and  friezes  of  ivory  or  light 
yellow  are  usually  in  good  taste. 

The  living  room  may  carry  out  the  panel  and 
plaster  effect,  but  is  more  likely  to  demand  a  sim- 
ple paper  of  good  quality  with  no  border.  Here, 
as  in  the  hall,  the  wooden  (or  plastic)  cornice  with 
no  frieze  is  suggested.  Grilles  are  discarded,  and 
portieres  are  avoided  where  possible. 

THE   BEAMED  CEILING 

In  the  dining  room  the  beamed  ceiling  has  been 
found  so  appropriate  that  it  continues  popular.  It 
is  simple,  easily  maintained,  and  has  the  broad, 
deep  lines  that  put  one  at  ease.  Here  it  is  advisable 
to  carry  a  wooden  wainscoting  up  to  about  3^  feet, 
the  panels  continuing  to  the  ceiling.  Tapestry, 
burlap,  or  plaster  may  show  above.  Plate  shelves 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        47 

are  somewhat  in  disfavor,  partly  because  of  abuse 
and  partly  because  the  tendency  is  to  eliminate  all 
dust-catchers  that  are  not  necessities.  Where  doors 
and  windows  are  built  on  a  line  (as  they  should 
be),  shelves  are  sometimes  placed  over  them.  But 
there  should  not  be  too  many  broken  lines  if  we 
would  preserve  the  comfortable  suggestion  of  the 
beamed  ceiling. 

PAINT,   PAPER,   AND  CALCIMINE 

For  the  kitchen,  painted  walls,  which  can  be 
easily  wiped  off,  and  resist  steam,  are  preferable 
to  calcimine.  Tiling  halfway  up  will  be  found 
still  better,  but  tiling  paper,  which  costs  more  than 
painting,  is  scarcely  to  be  chosen.  For  the  bed- 
rooms the  professional  decorators  are  disposed  to 
overelaboration.  A  simple  paper,  costing  15  to  35 
cents  per  roll,  is  best,  or  even  plain  calcimine,  which 
many  persons  consider  more  healthful.  The  latter 
costs  only  $3  or  $4  a  room  and  may  be  renewed 
every  year  or  two.  Very  nice  effects  are  had  in  a 
Georgia-pine  panel  trimming  running  to  a  wood 
cornice,  and  in  natural  wood  or  painted  white. 
With  this  the  ceiling  should  be  plain  white,  and  if 
bright-flowered  paper  is  used,  pictures  should  be 
discarded.  Lively  colors,  if  not  too  glaring,  give 


48  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

a  cheerful  aspect  to  the  room,  but  the  safer  plan 
is  to  stick  to  simplicity. 

In  the  children's  room  a  three-foot  wood  wains- 
coting is  desirable.  Part  of  this  may  be  a  black- 
board without  costing  more,  and  at  the  top  a  shelf 
can  be  placed  for  toys.  Figured  nursery  papers 
cost,  per  roll,  from  35  to  75  cents,  and  will  be  a 
never-ceasing  source  of  delight.  If  the  walls  are 
not  papered  they  should  be  painted,  for  reasons 
that  need  not  be  suggested.  Isn't  it  wonderful  how 
far  a  three-foot  boy  or  girl  can  reach? 

SHADES  AND  CURTAINS 

We  have  not  advanced  much  in  the  production 
of  window  shades  that  will  let  in  light  and  air,  shut 
out  the  gaze  of  strangers,  hold  no  shadows,  match 
interior  and  exterior,  fit  properly,  work  with  ease, 
cost  little,  and  last  forever.  The  ordinary  opaque 
roller  shade  still  has  no  serious  rival,  and  usually 
the  best  we  can  do  is  to  see  to  it  that  we  get  a  good 
quality  which  is  not  always  reliable,  rather  than  a 
poor  quality,  which  never  is. 

The  good  old  lace  curtains  that  were  the  pride 
of  the  housekeeper's  heart  and  the  jest  of  the  mas- 
culine members  of  the  household  seem  to  have  had 
their  day.  It  has  been  a  long  one,  and  any  article 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        49 

that  holds  sway  for  so  lengthy  a  period  must 
have  had  some  merit.  But  the  soft  chintz,  linen, 
madras,  or  muslin  is  now  the  vogue,  and  there  is 
much  good  sense  in  the  innovation.  No  lace  cur- 
tain ever  made  could  be  both  artistic  and  service- 
able; some  persons  go  so  far  as  to  say  that  they 
never  were  either,  but  we  have  too  much  reverence 
for  tradition  to  be  so  iconoclastic.  However,  they 
certainly  were  expensive  if  they  were  good  enough 
to  have,  were  difficult  to  wash,  and  usually  caused 
a  dead  line  to  be  drawn  about  the  very  choicest 
part  of  the  room.  Linen  curtains,  costing  from 
50  cents  to  $1.25  a  yard,  may  be  had  in  a  set  or 
conventional  design  or  plain  applique.  Chintz 
and  muslin  cost  less,  and  some  remarkably  pretty 
effects  in  madras  are  obtainable.  Curtains  now 
sensibly  stop  at  the  bottom  of  the  window  instead 
of  dragging  upon  the  floor. 

Besides  shades  and  curtains  the  window  ques- 
tion involves  not  only  light,  ventilation,  and  artistic 
relations,  but  such  details  as  screens  and  storm 
windows.  These  latter  matters  come  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  architect  and  should  not  be  care- 
lessly settled  upon.  Each  room  has  its  uses,  to 
which  the  window  must  conform  as  nearly  as  may 
be,  and  then  the  outward  appearance  of  the  house 


50  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

must  not  be  forgotten.    It  is  often  made  or  marred 
by  the  character  and  placing  of  the  windows. 

LEADED   PANES  AND  CASEMENTS 

Leaded  or  art  glass  is  attractive  if  not  over- 
done. Small  panes  are  difficult  to  keep  clean,  of 
course ;  but  we  can  probably  endure  that  if  all  else 
be  equal.  In  living  rooms  the  upper  sash  should 
be  made  smaller  than  the  lower,  so  as  to  get  the 
median  rail  above  the  level  of  the  eye.  In  some 
parts  of  the  house  a  horizontal  window  gives  a 
fine  effect,  besides  affording  light  and  air  without 
affecting  privacy.  Casement  windows  have  their 
points  of  excellence,  and  are  additionally  expen- 
sive chiefly  in  nardware.  The  frames  are  really 
cheaper,  but  they  must  be  very  accurately  fitted  to 
avoid  leaks. 

Casement  windows  seriously  complicate  the 
screen  and  storm-window  problem,  and  expert 
planning  is  necessary.  The  durability  of  screens 
depends  mostly  upon  their  care  or  abuse,  but  if  it 
can  be  afforded,  copper  wire  will  usually  last  suffi- 
ciently longer  to  repay  its  additional  cost.  Metal 
frames  are  not  so  essential.  The  best  form  is 
that  which  covers  the  entire  window  and  per- 
mits both  sashes  to  be  freely  opened ;  but  this  costs 


FLOORS,    WALLS,    AND    WINDOWS        51 

practically    twice   as    much   as    the   half-window 
screen. 

STORM  WINDOWS 

Storm  windows  should  be  carefully  fitted  or 
they  will  come  far  from  serving  their  purpose.  If 
they  are  of  the  right  sort  they  will  soon  repay  their 
cost  in  easing  up  the  furnace.  Preferably  they 
should  be  swung  from  the  top,  both  for  ventilation 
and  washing  and  to  avoid  a  check  upon  egress  in 
case  of  fire.  Some  persons  object  to  storm  win- 
dows on  account  of  the  supposed  stoppage  of  ven- 
tilation, but  that  rests  entirely  with  the  occupants 
of  the  house.  They  can  get  plenty  of  fresh  air 
without  letting  the  gales  of  winter  have  their  own 
sweet  will. 

With  floors,  walls,  and  windows  determined 
upon,  we  have  a  good  start  on  the  interior  of  our 
house.  But  we  may  only  pause  to  take  breath,  for 
we  now  have  to  give  most  careful  consideration  to 
two  decidedly  important  factors  in  our  comfort — 
lighting  and  heating. 


CHAPTER  III 

LIGHTING   AND   HEATING 

IF  common  sense  has  governed  our  proceedings 
to  date,  the  new  house  we  are  building,  or 
the  ready-built  one  we  have  chosen,  will  have 
full  advantage  of  the  one  perfect  light — that  af- 
forded by  the  sun. 

NECESSITY  OF  SUNLIGHT 

The  health-giving  properties  of  sunlight  are  so 
well  known  to  all  of  us  that  we  wonder  why  so  many 
otherwise  sensible  folk  seem  to  shun  it,  with  trees 
and  vines,  awnings  and  blinds  denying  access  to 
that  which  would  make  the  house  wholesome.  When 
possible,  every  room  in  the  house  should  have  its 
daily  ray  bath,  and  our  apartments  should  utilize 
the  light  of  the  sun  as  early  and  as  late  as  may  be. 

Perhaps  nature  intended  all  creatures  to  sleep 
through  the  hours  of  darkness.  If  we  had  followed 
that  custom  we  might  be  a  race  of  Methuselahs  ; 
who  knows!  Why  some  one  has  not  established 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  53 

a  cult  of  sleepers  from  sunset  to  dawn  is  really  in- 
explicable. But  mankind  in  general  has  persisted 
in  holding  to  a  different  notion,  and  since  the  sun 
declines  to  shine  upon  us  during  all  the  hours  of 
the  twenty-four,  and  we  insist  upon  cutting  the 
night  short  at  one  end,  we  have  had  to  devise  sub- 
stitutes for  the  sunlight. 

Of  course  the  sunlight  does  not  always  leave 
us  in  unbroken  darkness.  Few  of  us  are  so  far 
departed  from  the  days  of  mellow  youth  as  to  for- 
get certain  summer  evenings,  linked  in  memory 
with  verandas  or  bowered  walks,  when  moonlight 
— and  even  that  in  a  modified  form — was  the  ideal 
illumination.  But  even  if  we  could  employ  the 
good  fairies  to  dip  them  up  for  us,  we  should  find 
the  soft  moongleams  of  the  summer  evening  a 
rather  doubtful  aid  in  searching  for  the  cat  in  the 
dark  corners  of  the  basement. 

Omitting  pine  knots,  which  are  rather  out  of 
vogue,  modern  home  lighting  includes  four  forms 
— candles,  oil  lamps,  gas,  and  electricity.  The  first- 
named  are  not,  it  is  true,  used  to  any  extent  for 
what  may  be  called  the  practical  purposes  of  light- 
ing; but  in  many  ways  their  light  is  most  beautiful 
of  all.  Some  charming  candelabra  suited  to  the 
dining  table  are  found  in  the  better  shops,  and  an 

5 


54  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

investment  in  a  choice  design  is  a  very  justifiable 
extravagance.  Candle  illumination  is  of  all  varie- 
ties the  one  least  trying  to  the  eyes  and  to  the  com- 
plexion, though  its  effect  upon  the  temper  of  the 
person  tending  the  candles  is  not  so  sure  to  be 
happy.  However,  the  sort  with  a  hollow  center, 
called  Helion  candles,  require  little  attention,  and 
the  patented  candle  holders,  which  work  automati- 
cally, give  no  trouble  at  all. 

KEROSENE 

Notwithstanding  there  are  some  points  in  favor 
of  the  old  reliable  kerosene  lamp,  even  when  put 
in  the  scale  with  other  illuminants,  few  people  of 
the  younger  generation  regard  it  as  other  than 
something  to  be  endured.  In  view  of  the  facts  that 
an  oil  lamp  requires  a  great  deal  of  attention,  usu- 
ally leaves  its  trail  of  oil  and  smoke,  is  ill-smelling, 
disagreeably  hot  in  summer,  and  always  somewhat 
dangerous,  it  is  strange  that  those  who  cling  to  it 
as  to  a  fetich  are  usually  the  ones  who  have  long- 
est struggled  with  its  imperfections.  The  pretext 
for  this  conservatism,  whether  it  be  spoken  or 
reserved,  is  economy.  If  we  are  of  this  class,  we 
may  be  shocked  to  discover  that,  after  all,  kero- 
sene lighting  is  really  no  cheaper  than  gas  or  elec- 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  55 

trie  light,  if  sufficient  illumination  is  afforded,  and 
insufficient  lighting  is  surely  ill-judged  economy. 

GAS  AND  MATCHES 

Few  communities  of  respectable  size  are  now 
without  gas  or  electricity,  and  even  in  the  country 
the  latter  is  almost  everywhere  obtainable.  If  not, 
an  individual  gas  plant,  of  which  there  are  several 
makes,  may  be  installed  at  a  moderate  cost.  Prop- 
erly placed,  such  a  plant  is  safe  and  easily  regu- 
lated and  will  furnish  light  for  somewhat  less  than 
the  usual  charge  of  the  gas  companies. 

Gas  has  never  fully  supplanted  kerosene,  even 
where  it  is  readily  obtained.  Why  this  is  true  we 
need  not  pause  to  discuss;  perhaps  a  fairly  well- 
founded  suspicion  of  the  meter  has  had  something 
to  do  with  it.  But  certainly  no  one  building  a  house 
in  these  days  would  fail  to  pipe  it  for  gas  if  the 
supply  were  at  hand,  even  if  it  were  to  be  used  only 
for  kitchen  fuel.  Gas  has  its  virtues  as  an  illu- 
minant  also,  and  is  favored  by  many  on  account 
of  the  softness  of  the  light. 

But  while  gas  is  preferable  to  kerosene,  elec- 
tricity is  with  equal  certainty  preferable  to  gas. 
It  is  more  adaptable,  is  in  many  places  quite  as 
reasonable  in  cost,  and  is  cleaner  and  safer.  In 


56  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

numerous  country  communities  where  gas  is  not  to 
be  had  electricity  is  available,  as  frequently  a  large 
region  embracing  several  towns  is  supplied  from  a 
single  generating  plant. 

Gas  is  subject  to  fluctuations  in  quality,  some- 
times becoming  quite  dangerous  in  its  effect  upon 
the  atmosphere.  Water  gas,  which  is  very  gener- 
ally manufactured,  is  said  to  carry  four  or  five 
times  as  much  carbon  monoxide  per  unit  of  bulk 
as  retort  gas.  It  has  for  the  hemoglobin  of  the 
blood  four  hundred  times  the  affinity  of  oxygen, 
and  a  proportion  of  only  two  tenths  of  one  per 
cent  may  produce  heart  derangement.  While  we 
are  wondering  that  we  are  alive  in  the  face  of  such 
dreadful  facts,  we  may  note  further  that  gas  is 
rather  variable  in  its  qualities  as  an  illuminant. 
We  have  mentioned  the  suspicious  gas  meter,  whose 
vagaries  doubtless  have  caused  more  virtuous  in- 
dignation with  less  impression  upon  its  object  than 
anything  ever  devised.  An  open  flame  is  always 
a  menace ;  and  then  there  is  the  burnt  match.  Most 
housekeepers,  I  am  sure,  would  testify  to  their  be- 
lief that  matches  were  not  made  in  heaven.  Is  there 
anything  that  so  persistently  defies  the  effort  for 
tidiness  as  the  charred  remains  of  a  match,  invari- 
ably ignited  elsewhere  than  on  the  sandpaper  con- 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  57 

spicuously  provided,  and  more  likely  to  be  tossed 
upon  the  floor  or  laid  upon  the  mahogany  table 
than  to  find  its  way  into  the  receptacles  that  yearn 
for  it? 

For  cooking,  however,  gas  must  still  be  a  main 
dependence,  and  for  this  reason,  as  well  as  to  pro- 
vide for  remote  emergencies,  the  house  should  be 
piped  for  gas.  At  least  it  should  be  brought  into 
the  house,  even  if  the  piping  is  not  continued 
farther  than  the  kitchen. 

ELECTRIC   LIGHT 

In  seeking  to  secure  sufficient  light  we  often  go 
to  the  extreme  of  providing  a  glare  that  is  trying  to 
the  eyes  and  would  test  the  beauty  of  the  loveliest 
complexion  that  ever  charmed  in  the  revealing 
light  of  day.  We  go  further,  mayhap,  and  con- 
centrate the  glare  upon  the  center  of  the  room,  with 
a  shade  of  bright  green  which  gives  an  unearthly 
but  not  a  heavenly  cast  to  all  the  unfortunate 
humans  who  come  under  its  belying  influence. 

Objection  is  sometimes  made  to  electric  light 
that  it  is  too  powerful,  and  that  it  is  difficult 
to  modify  and  control.  This  impression  is  due  to 
the  tendency  of  which  we  have  spoken — the  work- 
ing out  of  the  thought  that  proper  lighting  is  a 


58  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

question  of  quantity.  For  some  persons  the  ideal 
arrangement  would  seem  to  be  a  searchlight  at 
each  corner  of  the  room,  with  a  few  arc  lights  sus- 
pended from  a  mirrored  ceiling. 

Electric  light,  to  furnish  the  most  agreeable 
effects,  must  be  softened  and  properly  diffused. 
If  the  light  units  that  so  perfectly  illumine  a  room 
during  the  day  were  concentrated  they  would  make 
a  blinding  glare,  but  diffused  they  are  properly 
tempered  to  the  eye.  The  common  thought  seems 
to  be  to  put  all  the  lights  of  the  living  room  in  the 
center,  and  to  make  them  so  powerful  that  they 
will  penetrate  every  corner  of  the  room  and  make 
it  "light  as  day."  In  consequence  the  center  is 
overlighted,  and  instead  of  a  similitude  of  daylight 
we  have  unreality. 

PLEASING  ARRANGEMENT 

For  the  dining-room  and  library  table  some 
form  of  drop  light  is  essential.  There  are  arrange- 
ments that  will  transform  the  banquet  or  student 
lamp  into  an  electric  drop  light,  or  the  special 
outfits  for  this  use  may  be  had  in  some  very  artis- 
tic designs.  For  general  lighting,  wall  sconces, 
lanterns,  or  brackets  are  preferable.  Some  of  these 
are  very  beautiful,  though  there  is  a  tendency  to 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  59 

overelaboration.  Design,  of  course,  should  be  in 
keeping  with  the  general  decoration  and  outfitting 
of  the  room.  Instead  of  four  sixteen-candle-power 
lights  in  a  center  chandelier,  eight  of  eight-candle 
power  will  "  spread  "  the  illumination  better  and 
add  little  to  the  expense,  except  for  fixtures.  In 
beamed  ceilings  which  are  not  too  high,  the  effect 
of  lights  placed  upon  the  beams  is  pleasing,  though 
the  effect  upon  the  monthly  bill  may  not  have  the 
same  aspect.  Electric  lamps  at  the  sides  should 
be  at  a  fair  height  and  throw  their  light  downward, 
instead  of  wasting  it  upon  the  ceiling. 

The  pretty  lanterns  of  antique  design  are  ex- 
pensive, the  simplest  sort  costing  $4  or  $5  apiece. 
There  are  numerous  artistic  brackets,  however,  that 
may  be  had  for  smaller  amounts.  Bulbs  are  made 
in  all  sorts  of  shapes  to  fit  recesses  or  for  special 
purposes,  and  the  designs  in  shades  and  candelabra 
are  legion. 

ADAPTABILITY 

Electricity's  strong  card  is  its  adaptability.  It 
can  go  wherever  a  wire  may  be  carried,  and  into 
many  places  where  gas  or  oil  lights  would  not  be 
safe  or  practical.  The  only  thing  lacking  is  to 
make  it  wireless,  and  perhaps  invention  sooner  or 


60  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

later  will  be  equal  to  that  demand.  Early  installa- 
tions were  rather  carelessly  made,  but  municipal 
and  underwriters'  rules  are  now  so  strict  that  prac- 
tically all  danger  of  fire  has  been  eliminated.  The 
householder  in  the  country  should  make  sure  that 
the  underwriters'  prescriptions  are  fully  observed, 
as  his  insurance  may  be  affected.  In  the  city, 
official  inspection  usually  guarantees  correct  wiring. 
Probably  only  in  the  hall,  dining  room,  and  liv- 
ing room  will  we  be  greatly  concerned  with  the 
decorative  phase  of  lighting.  Elsewhere  the  ques- 
tion is  largely  one  of  practical  use,  though  consid- 
erations of  taste  are  not  to  be  neglected.  Careful 
study  should  be  given  to  the  adaptation  of  lighting 
to  the  future  uses  of  the  rooms.  This  will  perhaps 
avoid  the  use  later  of  unsightly  extension  cord, 
though  this  avoidance  can  scarcely  be  made  com- 
plete. 

PROTECTION 

A  very  useful  light  may  be  provided  for  the 
veranda,  just  outside  the  door,  illuminating  th( 
front  steps  and  path  to  the  sidewalk.  This  light 
may  be  turned  off  and  on  by  a  switch  key  inside 
the  door.  It  is  particularly  comforting  when  some 
stranger  rings  the  doorbell  late  at  night  and  one 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  61 

does  not  feel  overpleased  to  be  called  upon  to  open 
the  door  to  an  invisible  person.  Other  switch  ar- 
rangements make  it  possible  to  turn  on  the  upper 
hall  lights  from  below,  or  the  lower  hall  lights 
from  above,  and  the  lights  in  each  room  from  the 
hall.  When  there  are  unseemly  noises  downstairs 
in  the  wee  sma'  hours  it  is  much  more  agreeable 
to  gaze  over  the  balustrade  into  a  bright  hall  than 
to  go  prowling  about  in  the  darkness  for  the  bulb 
or  gas  jet,  with  the  chance  of  grasping  a  burglar 
instead.  Some  burglars  are  very  sensitive  about 
familiarities  on  the  part  of  strangers,  and  it  is  al- 
ways better  to  permit  them  to  depart  in  a  good 
humor.  The  basement  lighting,  too,  should  be  regu- 
lated from  above,  and  the  dark  corners  should 
be  well  looked  after.  At  best,  the  basement  is  a 
breeder  of  trouble.  If  the  light  is  in  the  center,  and 
must  be  turned  off  at  the  bulb,  the  return  to  the 
stairway  from  the  nocturnal  visit  to  the  furnace  is 
likely  to  be  productive  of  bruised  shins  and  ob- 
jurgative  English ;  if  the  light  operates  from  above, 
one  either  forgets  to  turn  it  off  and  leaves  it  to  burn 
all  night,  or  becomes  uncertain  about  it  just  as  he 
is  beginning  to  doze  off,  necessitating  a  scramble 
downstairs  to  make  sure.  Perhaps  it  would  be  well 
to  have  a  choice  of  systems. 


62  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

Some  houses  have  been  so  wired  that  one  can 
illuminate  every  room  from  the  hall  or  from  the 
master's  bedroom.  This  necessitates  complicated 
wiring  and  will  not  be  found  necessary  by  most  of 
us.  Neither  will  we  desire  to  spend  our  hardly 
won  cash  in  wiring  our  four-poster  bed  for  reading 
lights,  or  to  put  lights  under  the  dining  table  for 
use  in  searching  for  the  lost  articles  that  always  by 
some  instinct  seek  the  darkest  spots  in  the  room. 
If  there  be  a  barn  or  shed  on  the  lot,  an  extension 
carried  there  will  be  found  convenient  and  com- 
paratively inexpensive.  In  the  kitchen  and  pan- 
tries the  lights  should  be  considered  in  detail  so 
that  all  the  various  operations  may  be  served. 
Shadowed  sinks  and  ranges  and  dark  pantries  are 
not  necessary  where  there  is  electric  light. 

REGULATED   LIGHT 

In  halls,  closets,  and  bathroom  lower-power 
lamps,  or  the  "hylo,"  which  may  be  alternated 
from  one-  to  sixteen-candle  power,  will  prove  an 
economy.  The  "  hylo  "  is  also  useful  in  bedrooms 
where  children  are  put  to  sleep,  affording  sufficient 
light  to  daunt  the  hobgoblins  without  discouraging 
the  approach  of  the  sandman.  Some  persons  can- 
not sleep  without  a  light;  for  them,  and  for  the 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  63 

sick  room,  the  low-power  light  is  eminently  prefer- 
able to  the  best  of  oil  lamps. 

There  are  numerous  conveniences  to  be  oper- 
ated by  electricity,  such  as  chafing  dishes  ($13.50), 
flat  irons  ($3.75  up),  curling-iron  heaters  ($2.25 
up),  electric  combs  for  drying  hair  ($4),  heating 
pads,  in  lieu  of  hot-water  bags  ($5),  and  many 
articles  for  the  kitchen.  These  are  operated  from 
flush  receptacles  in  baseboards  or  under  rugs,  or 
from  the  ordinary  light  sockets. 

THE  TWO  SURE  WAYS  OF  HEATING 

There  is  only  one  efficient  and  healthful  method 
of  heating  a  house,  and  that  is  with  a  hot-air  fur- 
nace. I  have  that  on  the  authority  of  a  man  who 
sells  hot-air  furnaces,  and  he  ought  to  know. 

Substitute  "  steam  or  hot  water  "  for  "  hot-air 
furnace,"  and  we  have  the  assurance  of  the  man 
across  the  way  who  sells  boilers  and  radiators. 

The  beauty  of  it  is  that  each  proves  his  case  to 
one's  entire  satisfaction — not  only  that  his  own 
system  is  a  marvel  of  perfection,  but  that  the  other 
systems  are  dangerous  to  health  and  breeders  of 
unhappiness  and  really  ought  (though  he  wouldn't 
like  to  say  so)  to  be  prohibited  by  law. 

So  we  shall  have  to  decide  the  question  for  our- 


64  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

selves.  If  we  err,  we  can  still  abuse  the  dealer,  or 
the  architect,  or  the  contractor,  for  letting  us  make 
a  mistake. 

THE   HOT-AIR   FURNACE 

The  hot-air  furnace  costs  least  to  install.  (We 
leave  stoves  out  of  consideration.)  It  is  also  sup- 
posed to  be  easiest  to  manage.  That,  in  a  sense, 
is  true.  A  good  furnace  will  act  pretty  well  even 
under  indifferent  direction;  a  bad  one  cannot  be 
made  much  worse  by  the  greatest  of  stupidity. 

However,  the  average  person  can  run  the  aver- 
age furnace  with  a  fair  degree  of  satisfaction  to  the 
household,  if  not  to  himself.  For  a  house  of  six  to 
eight  rooms  the  furnace  may  be  considered  an  effi- 
cient means  of  heating.  It  requires  more  fuel  than 
some  other  apparatus,  but  there  are  compensations. 

Since  ventilation  and  heating  are  inevitably 
associated,  the  argument  that  the  furnace  provides 
for  ventilation  is  a  strong  one.  If  the  air  is  taken 
from  outdoors,  passed  over  the  radiating  surface 
into  the  rooms,  and  then  sent  on  its  way,  something 
like  perfect  ventilation  is  assured.  If  the  air  is 
simply  taken  from  the  basement — a  poor  place  to 
go  for  air — heated,  passed  through  the  rooms,  re- 
turned, and  heated  over  again,  we  may  well  pray 


LIGHTING   AND    HEATING  65 

to  be  delivered  from  such  "  ventilation."  The  suc- 
cess of  the  furnace  depends  not  upon  ability  to 
keep  up  a  rousing  fire  but  upon  a  proper  regulation 
of  air  currents.  Many  a  first-class  furnace,  prop- 
erly installed,  fails  to  work  satisfactorily  because 
the  principle  of  heating  is  not  understood.  Even 
with  the  best  of  knowledge,  the  air  is  hard  to 
regulate,  and  the  very  principle  that  gives  the  fur- 
nace its  standing  as  a  ventilator  must  prevent  it 
from  being  a  perfect  heater. 

Unless  some  artificial  moisture  is  provided,  not 
only  will  the  air  be  too  dry  for  comfort  and  health, 
but  an  excessive  degree  of  heat  must  be  attained 
in  order  to  warm  the  rooms,  thus  increasing  the 
consumption  of  coal.  A  water  pan  is  usually  pro- 
vided in  the  furnace,  but  too  often  it  is  neglected. 

DIRECTION   OF  HEAT 

If  any  mistake  in  selection  of  size  is  to  be  made, 
it  should  be  in  favor  of  excess.  Most  authorities 
urge  the  choice  of  at  least  a  size  above  that  indi- 
cated by  the  heating  area.  A  chimney  with  suitable 
draught  is  imperative.  The  furnace  should  be 
placed  in  a  central  location  and  should  be  set  suffi- 
ciently low  to  permit  the  essential  rise  of  the  heat 
ducts.  If  the  basement  is  low  the  furnace  should 


66  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

be  depressed.  While  the  heat  conveyors  should  not 
ascend  directly  from  the  furnace,  they  should  not 
be  carried  any  farther  than  necessary  in  a  hori- 
zontal position.  The  velocity  of  heat  is  diminished 
in  carrying  it  horizontally,  increased  vertically. 
Crooks  and  turns  add  to  the  friction  and  decrease 
heating  power.  Therefore  the  pipes  should  be  as 
short  and  direct  as  possible.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
carry  the  register  to  a  window  on  the  farther  side 
of  the  room,  say  some  authorities,  as  the  warm  air 
rises  to  the  ceiling  anyway,  and  the  greater  length 
of  carry  involves  a  loss  in  warmth. 

Pipes  for  the  first  floor  should  be  large.  Those 
for  the  upper  rooms,  having  a  longer  vertical  range, 
may  be  smaller.  All  the  pipes  should  be  double, 
with  an  inch  air  space  between,  as  a  protection 
against  fire.  Asbestos  paper  on  a  single  pipe  is  not 
regarded  as  a  sufficient  precaution,  as  it  is  easily 
torn  and  quickly  wears  out. 

REGISTERS 

There  are  arguments  in  favor  of  side-wall  reg- 
isters. They  save  floor  space  and  obviate  some 
dust.  On  the  other  hand,  they  are  not  quite  so 
effective  in  heating  as  the  other  sort,  since  the  pipes 
for  floor  registers  may  be  of  larger  diameter  and 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  67 

as  a  rale  require  fewer  bends.  Each  register 
should  have  a  separate  pipe  from  the  furnace. 
Where  direct  heat  is  not  desired,  a  register  opening 
in  the  ceiling  of  a  downstairs  room  will  sometimes 
carry  enough  heat  to  the  upper  chamber  to  make 
it  comfortable  for  sleeping  purposes. 

Since  furnace  efficiency  is  largely  dependent 
upon  air  control,  a  strong  wind  sometimes  makes 
it  difficult  to  heat  portions  of  the  house.  To  meet 
this  emergency  there  is  a  combination  hot-air  and 
hot-water  heater  which  supplies  radiators  on  the 
upper  floors/  or  elsewhere  if  desired.  The  addi- 
tional cost  is  practically  all  in  the  installation,  as 
the  same  fire  furnishes  both  forms  of  heat. 

For  an  eight-room  house  or  smaller,  a  first-class 
steel-plate  furnace,  securely  sealed  against  the 
escape  of  gas  and  smoke,  costs  free  on  board  about 
$150.  Each  two  rooms  additional  raises  the  price 
about  $25.  Other  furnaces  may  be  had  as  low  as 
$50.  Cost  of  tin  work,  brick  setting,  etc.,  depends 
upon  locality. 

HOT  WATER  AND   STEAM   HEAT 

Hot  water  and  steam  heat  cost  more  for  instal- 
lation, but  have  many  advantages  over  the  furnace. 
Their  chief  drawbacks  are  the  space  usurped  by 


68  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

radiators,  lack  of  ventilation,  and  the  possibility 
of  an  occasional  breakdown.  The  ingenuity  of  the 
makers,  however,  is  partly  overcoming  these  diffi- 
culties, mainly  by  the  device  called  the  indirect 
system. 

We  need  not  fret  ourselves  here  with  a  technical 
elucidation  of  either  form  of  heating.  We  may, 
however,  consider  some  of  the  claims  made  for  hot 
water,  which  is  apparently  coming  to  be  considered 
the  preferable  arrangement  for  dwelling  houses. 
There  is  not  a  great  deal  of  difference  between  the 
essential  features  of  steam  and  hot-water  systems. 

It  is  declared  that  water  will  absorb  more  heat 
than  any  other  substance,  hence  will  take  from  the 
boiler  practically  all  the  heat  produced  in  the  com- 
bustion of  fuel.  As  the  temperature  of  the  water 
is  automatically  controlled,  the  atmosphere  of  the 
rooms  may  be  kept  at  the  desired  degree,  the  pres- 
ence of  radiators  in  each  room,  all  of  the  same  tem- 
perature, giving  an  even  heat  over  the  entire  house. 

There  can  be  no  sudden  drop  in  temperature, 
as  the  water  in  the  pipes  continues  to  distribute 
warmth  even  after  the  fire  has  been  checked  or  has 
been  allowed  to  go  out.  The  fuel  required  for  an 
ordinary  stove,  it  is  asserted,  will  warm  an  entire 
house  with  hot  water.  An  engineer  is  not  required. 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING  69 

Inexperienced  persons  have  no  difficulty  in  operat- 
ing the  ordinary  boiler,  and  there  is  no  danger 
whatever,  because,  the  makers  adduce,  for  steam 
heat  the  maximum  pressure  is  about  five  pounds, 
while  with  hot  water  there  is  practically  no  pres- 
sure at  all.  Very  little  water  is  used,  and  a  con- 
nection with  the  street  water  system  is  not  impera- 
tive, though  convenient. 

INDIRECT   HEATING 

Indirect  heating  is  provided  by  passing  air  over 
radiators  attached  to  the  ceiling  of  the  basement, 
thence  to  the  upper  rooms.  In  the  "  direct-indi- 
rect "  system  the  radiators  are  placed  in  the  parti- 
tion walls  of  the  rooms  they  are  to  heat,  the  cold 
air  being  brought  through  a  duct  and,  being  heated, 
passing  into  the  rooms.  These  two  systems  are 
economical  of  space  and  afford  provision  for  ex- 
cellent ventilation.  They  are  considerably  more 
expensive,  however,  than  the  direct  system,  which 
involves  exposed  radiators. 

Eadiators  are  now  constructed  in  many  differ- 
ent forms,  to  fit  under  windows,  in  corners,  in  fire- 
places, under  cabinets,  and  so  on.  Much  effort  has 
been  directed  also  toward  relieving  their  painful 
ugliness,  and  if  of  a  neat  design  appropriately 


70  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

colored  they  need  not  be  a  serious  blot  upon  the 
decorative  scheme  of  a  room. 

Radiators,  in  the  direct  system,  should  be  placed 
far  enough  from  the  walls  to  permit  free  circula- 
tion over  the  heating  surfaces,  and  should  not  be 
directly  covered  at  the  top.  Ordinarily  there  are 
good  reasons  for  putting  them  near  the  more  ex- 
posed places,  such  as  windows  and  outer  doors. 
As  both  steam  and  hot  water  furnish  a  dry  heat, 
provision  should  be  made  in  every  room  for  evapo- 
ration of  water. 

SUMMARY 

With  no  prejudice  against  good  furnaces,  it  may 
be  said  that  hot  water  apparently  affords  the  great- 
est possibilities  for  comfort  and  regularity  of  heat- 
ing, and  that  there  are  usually  no  reasons  why  it 
cannot  be  utilized  in  country  houses.  A  hot-water 
installation  is  likely  to  cost  twice  as  much  as  a  fur- 
nace, but  if  we  are  to  live  in  the  house  it  is  better 
to  make  our  estimates  cover  ten  or  twenty  years 
rather  than  to  bear  too  strongly  on  first  costs. 

The  following  table,  while  it  must  not  be  taken 
as  fully  conclusive,  gives  at  least  a  basis  of  con- 
sideration : 


LIGHTING    AND    HEATING 


71 


HOT  AIR. 

STEAM. 

HOT  WATER. 

Small. 

Higher. 

Highest. 

Comparative  coal  consump- 
tion   

18^  tons. 

13£  tons. 

10  tons. 

12  years. 

35  years. 

*  Indestruct- 

Heat distribution  

Uneven. 

Regular. 

ible. 
Even. 

Temperature  .... 

Variable. 

Fair. 

Regular. 

Good,  if 

Good,  with 

Good,  with 

Quality  of  heated  air. 

properly 
managed. 
Ditto. 

indirect 
system. 
Ditto. 

indirect 
system. 
Ditto. 

Dust  and  dirt  

Much. 

Little. 

None. 

Moderate. 

None. 

None. 

Danger  of  explosion  

Slight. 

None. 

None. 

None. 

Occasional. 

Almost  none. 

Management  

*  Delightful. 

*  Pleasure. 

*Joy. 

Relative  cost  of  apparatus  .  . 
Ditto,        plus  repairs  and 
fuel  for  five  years  

29i 

13 

29f 

15 
27 

Ditto,        plus  repairs  and 
fuel  for  five  years  

81 

63 

52i 

*  Makers'  statement. 


These  comparisons  are  probably,  on  the  whole, 
somewhat  unfair  to  the  high-grade  furnace. 


CHAPTER   IV 

FUKNITUBE 

MUCH  of  good  sense  and  more  that  is  non- 
sensical has  been  written  about  furniture. 
Observation  tends  to  justify  belief  that 
in  general  effect  the  nonsense  has  proved  more 
potent  than  its  antithesis. 

THE   QUEST   OF   THE   BEAUTIFUL 

Originality  has  been  preached,  and  we  have 
seen  the  result  in  abnormalities  that  conform  to 
no  conception  of  artistic  or  practical  quality  ever 
recognized.  Antique  models  have  been  glorified, 
with  a  sequence  of  puny,  spiritless  imitations. 
Simplicity  has  been  extolled,  and  we  find  the  word 
interpreted  in  clumsiness  and  crudity.  Delicacy 
of  outline  has  been  urged,  and  we  triumph  in  the 
further  accomplishments  of  flimsiness  and  hopeless 
triviality. 

And  yet  through  all  that  has  been  preached, 
through  all  that  has  been  executed,  there  runs  a 

72 


FURNITURE  73 

vein  of  truth.  Each  age  should  express  itself,  not 
merely  the  thought  of  centuries  past;  still,  it  can 
expect  to  do  little  more  than  take  from  antecedent 
cycles  those  features  that  will  best  serve  the  pres- 
ent, adding  an  original  touch  fiere  and  there.  So 
far,  then,  as  we  find  in  the  furniture  of  the  Geor- 
gian period,  or  of  Louis  Quinze,  or  even  of  the 
ancient  Greeks,  such  suggestions  as  will  help  us 
to  live  this  twentieth-century  life  more  comfortably 
and  agreeably,  we  may  with  good  conscience  borrow 
or  imitate. 

ANCIENT   DESIGNS 

Some  "very  eminent  authorities"  assure  us 
that  many  of  the  objects  of  our  admiration  in 
museums  and  in  private  collections  are  remnants 
of  the  furnishings  of  the  common  households  of 
the  olden  times.  If  the  breadth  of  knowledge  of 
the  "eminent  authorities"  is  indicated  by  this 
assertion,  they  must  have  touched  only  the  high 
places  in  history,  so  far  as  it  records  social  condi- 
tions. The  truth  is  that  the  household  appurte- 
nances which  have  survived  to  our  time  are  mostly 
those  of  the  few  and  not  of  the  many,  of  the  palace 
and  mansion  and  not  of  the  cot.  These  articles 
were  costly  then  and  they  would  be  costly  now, 


74  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

and  very  often  quite  as  useless  as  costly.  They 
were  not  found  in  the  cottage  of  the  older  days, 
and  they  do  not  belong  in  the  cottages  of  the 
present. 

Nevertheless,  many  of  these  old  designs  exem- 
plify the  elementary  essentials  of  furniture — good 
materials,  gracefulness,  and  thorough  workman- 
ship. These  are  qualities  that  are  to  be  sought 
for  the  cottage  as  well  as  for  the  mansion;  and 
while  they  may  add  to  the  purchase  cost  of  the 
separate  articles,  it  is  possible  to  secure  them  at 
no  great  increase  for  the  whole  over  the  cheaper 
goods,  provided  we  guard  against  the  common 
error  in  housefurnishing — overpurchasing. 

THE  ARTS  AND  CRAFTS 

What  is  known  in  America  as  the  arts  and 
crafts  movement  has,  in  its  sincere  developments, 
sought  to  adapt  the  better  qualities  of  the  old  de- 
signs of  furniture  to  the  demands  of  modern  con- 
ditions, artistic  and  practical.  Not  always,  how- 
ever, has  it  been  possible  to  distinguish  between  the 
honest  effort  to  enforce  a  better  standard  and  the 
various  forms  of  charlatanry  under  which  clumsy 
and  unsightly  creations  have  been  and  are  being 
worked  off  upon  an  ingenuous  public  at  prices  pro- 


GOOD  EXAMPLES  OF  CHIPPENDALE  AND  OLD  WALNUT. 


FURNITURE  75 

portioned  to  their  degrees  of  ugliness.  In  colonial 
times  many  an  humble  carpenter  vainly  scratched 
his  noggin  as  he  puzzled  over  the  hopeless  problem 
of  duplicating  with  rude  tools  and  scant  skill  the 
handiwork  that  graced  the  lordly  mansions  of 
merrie  England;  to-day  some  wight  who  can 
scarcely  distinguish  a  jackplane  from  a  saw- 
buck  essays  to  "express  himself"  (at  our  ex- 
pense) in  furniture,  repeating  all  the  gaucheries 
that  the  colonial  carpenter  could  not  avoid 
making. 

MISSION   FURNITURE 

Others  have  set  themselves  to  reproducing  the 
so-called  mission  furniture  which  the  good  priests 
of  early  California  would  have  rejoiced  to  ex- 
change for  the  convenient  modern  furniture  at 
which  the  faddist  sniffs.  But  most  of  us  who  stop 
to  think,  realize  that  there  is  no  magic  virtue  in 
antiquity  of  itself.  The  average  man,  at  least,  can- 
"not  delude  himself  into  the  belief  that  there  is  com- 
fort to  be  found  in  a  great  deal  of  the  harsh-angled 
stuff  paraded  as  artistic. 

Let  us  not  be  understood,  however,  as  hinting 
that  artistic  qualities  must  be  disregarded.  Though 
furniture  should  not  be  chosen  for  its  beauty  or 


76  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

associations  alone,  it  must  not  be  considered  at  all 
if  beauty  is  absent. 

COMFORT,  ESTHETIC  AND   PHYSICAL 

The  first  consideration  of  the  home  is  comfort. 
Let  no  one  dispute  that  fact.  But  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  being  aesthetically  as  well  as  physically 
comfortable.  Conceptions  of  physical  comfort  dif- 
fer with  individuals,  but  are  usually  well  defined; 
some  of  us  actually  have  no  conception  whatever 
of  aesthetic  comfort.  That  is  no  reason  why  we 
should  not  seek  it.  Probably  we  had  a  very  faint 
idea  of  what  good  music  or  good  painting  was  like 
until  we  came  to  an  acquaintance  with  the  masters ; 
but  we  are  surely  not  sorry  to  have  progressed  in 
experience  and  feeling.  And  so  it  is  that  though 
we  may  not  feel  specially  urged  to  insist  upon 
tasteful  surroundings,  the  higher  instincts  within 
us  that  persuade  us  to  make  the  most  of  ourselves 
demand  that  we  shall  not  be  content  with  mere 
physical  comfort.  Therefore  we  may  need  to  look 
a  bit  beyond  our  definite  inward  aspirations,  and 
we  should  not  disdain  to  follow  others  so  far  as 
they  adhere  to  certain  well-authenticated  canons  of 
good  taste. 


FURNITURE  77 

OLDER  MODELS   IN   FURNITURE 

Study  of  the  older  models  of  furniture  is  bound 
to  prove  suggestive,  and  it  is  better  to  secure  from 
the  library  or  bookseller  a  book  by  some  authority 
than  to  depend  upon  dealers'  catalogues,  which 
are  not  always  edifying.  English  models  affecting 
present-day  outfitting  date  back  as  far  as  the 
Elizabethan  period,  approximately  1558-1603.  Fol- 
lowing there  came  the  Early  Jacobean,  the  Early 
Queen  Anne,  and  the  Georgian.  The  last  includes 
the  work  of  Chippendale,  Heppelwhite,  Sheraton, 
and  the  Adams,  all  of  whom  executed  some  beau- 
tiful designs.  The  so-called  colonial  furniture 
belongs  also  to  the  Georgian  period,  as  does  the 
"  Debased  Empire,"  corresponding  to  or  following 
the  Empire  styles  in  France.  In  the  latter  coun- 
try the  periods  of  vogue  are  known  as  Francis 
Premier,  Henri  Deux,  Henri  Quatre,  Louis  Treize, 
Louis  Quatorze,  Louis  Quinze,  and  Louis  Seize. 
Under  the  designation  of  the  "  Quaint  style  "  W. 
Davis  Benn  groups  the  "Liberty,"  Morris,  and 
arts  and  crafts  designs.  Mr.  Benn's  "  Styles  in 
Furniture  "  will  be  found  helpful  in  both  text  and 
illustration  to  those  who  would  learn  to  distinguish 
between  the  products  of  the  various  periods. 


78  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

MAHOGANY  AND   OAK 

Mahogany  and  oak  are  the  best  materials  for 
furniture.  The  former  is  cleverly  imitated  in  a 
mahoganized  birch,  which  presents  a  pleasing  ap- 
pearance and  sometimes  deceives  those  who  are  not 
familiar  with  the  beautiful  rich  tones  of  the  genu- 
ine article.  Mahogany  adapts  itself  to  almost  any 
sensible  style  of  interior  decoration,  is  likely  to  be 
of  careful  manufacture,  and  is  almost  invariably 
cherished  for  its  beauty.  Like  other  highly  fin- 
ished woods  it  takes  on  a  bluish  tint  in  damp 
weather,  and  if  not  well  protected,  will  demand 
attention  more  frequently  than  other  materials. 
But  if  its  purchase  can  be  afforded  the  care 
given  it  will  scarcely  be  begrudged.  The  eggshell 
(dull)  finish  requires  less  attention  than  the  higher 
polish. 

Next  in  degree  to  mahogany,  oak  in  the  golden, 
weathered,  or  fumed  effect  is  handsome  and  dur- 
able, while  it  is  somewhat  less  expensive.  The 
moment  one  drops  below  genuine  mahogany,  how- 
ever, a  wary  eye  must  be  kept  upon  construction. 
There  are  shifts  innumerable  to  make  cheap  furni- 
ture that  has  an  alluring  appearance,  and  the 
variety  of  design  in  the  moderate-priced  materials 


A  CHIPPENDALE  SECRETARY. 


FURNITURE  79 

will  lead  to  confusion  for  those  who  do  not  exert 
a  Spartan  discrimination. 

SUBSTANTIALITY 

To  insure  satisfaction  there  must  first  of  all  be 
substantiality — a  quality  which  affects  both  com- 
fort and  appearance.  A  chair  may  be  beautiful, 
it  may  be  comfortable,  at  the  time  of  purchase,  but 
if  it  be  not  substantial  its  glories  will  soon  depart. 
A  superficial  view  cannot  be  'conclusive.  The  care- 
fully made  article  built  upon  slender  lines  is  often 
quite  as  strong  as  a  more  rugged  creation  hastily 
put  together.  The  chair  that  is  properly  con- 
structed may  be  almost  as  solid  as  if  it  were  of  one 
piece,  and  still  not  require  a  block  and  tackle  to 
move  it.  The  strongest  article  is  made  entirely  of 
wood,  and  we  find  some  of  the  old  models  so 
sturdily  built  that  no  rounds  were  required  be- 
tween the  legs.  In  chiffoniers,  dressers,  or  side- 
boards a  handsome  exterior  should  not  blind  us  to 
cheaply  constructed  drawers.  The  latter  should 
be  of  strong  material,  properly  fitted,  and  well 
sealed.  There  need  be  no  sagging,  jamming,  or 
accumulation  of  dust  in  drawers  that  are  well 
constructed. 


80  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 


SUPERFLUITY 

California,  with  its  pretty  little  bungalows,  not 
only  has  pointed  out  to  us  the  possibility  of  living 
satisfactorily  in  a  small  number  of  rooms,  but  has 
shown  us  something  in  the  way  of  simple  furnish- 
ings. Not  until  we  see  what  may  be  "  done  with- 
out "  do  we  realize  how  much  that  is  superfluous 
crowds  our  floors. 

A  pretty  good  rule  is  to  test  everything  first  by 
its  usefulness ;  if  it  is  not  useful,  we  may  dispense 
with  its  purchase.  Even  at  that,  it  may  be  necessary 
to  demand  that  the  article  shall  be  not  only  useful 
but  absolutely  indispensable,  for  between  the  be- 
guiling advertisement  and  the  crafty  salesman,  al- 
most anything  that  is  manufactured  may  be  proved 
necessary.  At  the  best  we  shall  probably  purchase 
a-plenty,  and  the  question  of  when  a  house  reaches 
the  point  of  overfurnishing  is  a  difficult  one  to 
settle.  Let  one  of  us,  for  instance,  venture  at  mid- 
night into  a  dark  room — be  the  apartment  ever  so 
large — with  nothing  but  a  rocker  in  it,  and  the  im- 
pression may  be  gained  that  the  place  has  been 
turned  into  a  furniture  warehouse.  And  some  per- 
sons— none  of  us,  to  be  sure! — are  never  happy 
while  any  of  the  floor  or  wall  space  is  unoccupied. 


FURNITURE  81 

So  the  world  goes.  But  if  nine  out  of  ten  persons 
bought  only  what  they  could  not  do  without,  what 
they  did  purchase  could  be  of  a  great  deal  better 
quality. 

No  bit  of  furniture  should  be  purchased  for 
which  there  is  not  a  suitable  place  in  the  house. 
A  piece  may  be  very  attractive  in  the  salesroom, 
and  its  practical  qualities  may  appear  irresistible, 
while  on  our  own  floors  it  may  be  perfectly  incon- 
gruous and  perhaps,  on  account  of  its  enforced 
location,  almost  useless. 

If  for  no  other  reason,  we  should  go  slow  with 
our  purchases  because  we  cannot  know  the  real 
needs  of  our  home  until  we  have  lived  in  it.  Ex- 
perience will  make  some  articles  superfluous  and 
substitute  what  we  had  not  thought  to  want.  There 
should  be  a  regular  saving  fund  or  appropriation 
for  keeping  up  the  house  fittings,  and  usually  it  is 
found  that  this  fund  grows  more  steadily  if  we 
have  some  definite  purchases  in  view.  Leave  some 
things  to  be  "  saved  up  for " ;  there  will  be  less 
likelihood  then  of  your  being  included  in  that  large 
class  to  which  the  newspaper  "  small  ads  "  appeal 
— "  those  who  wish  to  trade  what  they  don't  want 
for  what  they  do  want." 


82  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

HALL   FURNITURE 

In  a  hall  of  the  simpler  sort  the  only  require- 
ments are  a  high-backed  chair  or  settee,  a  table  for 
cartes  de  visit e,  an  umbrella  receptacle,  and  a 
mirror  wall  hanger  with  hooks  for  the  use  of  guests. 
The  time-honored  halltree  is  no  more,  and  long 
may  it  rest  in  peace.  If  there  had  been  no  other 
reasons  for  its  passing,  its  abuse  in  the  average 
household  made  it  an  eyesore.  Intended  only  for 
the  convenience  of  the  transient  guest,  its  hooks 
were  usually  preempted  by  the  entire  outer  ward- 
robe of  the  family.  A  good  plan  is  to  have  a  coat 
closet  built  in,  under  the  stairway  or  elsewhere  near 
the  place  of  egress,  leaving  the  few  inconspicuous 
hooks  in  the  hall  to  afford  ample  provision  for 
visitors.  An  appropriation  of  $50  to  $100  will  fit 
up  a  small  hall  very  satisfactorily.  A  pretty 
hanging  lantern  of  hammered  copper,  with  open 
bottom  and  globe  of  opalescent  glass,  will  add  more 
than  its  cost  of  $12.50  to  the  good  impression  the 
hall  is  to  make  upon  those  it  receives. 

THE   FAMILY  CHAIRS 

Some  good  folk  would  banish  the  rocker  un- 
ceremoniously from  the  living  room,  and  we  might 


FURNITURE  83 

not  miss  it  so  much  as  we  think.  It  is  the  adapt- 
ability of  the  rocker  to  comforting  positions,  rather 
than  a  love  of  rocking,  that  endears  the  chair  to 
the  majority,  and  when  the  same  qualities  are 
found  in  the  reclining  or  easy  chair  we  can  well 
spare  the  projections  that  menace  skirts  and  pol- 
ished furniture,  not  to  speak  of  the  space  they 
take  up. 

As  a  general  thing  it  is  the  man  of  the  house 
whose  comfort  is  most  sedulously  looked  after. 
For  him  the  easy  chair,  the  slippers,  the  reading 
lamp,  the  smoking  outfit,  the  house  jacket,  the  even- 
ing paper.  This  fact  is  mentioned  in  no  carping 
spirit.  Far  be  it  from  one  of  the  less  worthy  sex 
to  quarrel  with  the  fate  that  has  been  ordained 
for  us  by  our  helpmeets ;  the  latter  should  not  be 
deprived  of  a  whit  of  the  joy  that  comes  from 
viewing  the  lord  of  the  household  agreeably  situ- 
ated, and  in  that  blissful  state  which  breeds  a 
kindly  spirit  toward  all  human  kind,  including 
milliners  and  ladies'  tailors. 

But  too  frequently  the  mistress  of  the  house- 
hold is  supposed  to  pick  up  her  comfort  at  odd 
times,  or  more  likely  there  isn't  any  supposition 
at  all.  For  her,  for  the  master,  and  for  the  other 
members  of  the  family,  there  must  be  a  personal 


84  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

interest  in  the  living  room,  and  this  is  best  repre- 
sented by  the  most  comfortable  chair  to  be  had. 
As  persons  are  built  of  different  heights  and 
breadths,  so  the  chairs  should  be.  While  the  slen- 
der chap  can  snuggle  down  in  the  most  capacious 
easy  chair,  the  stout  lady  may  be  embarrassed 
when  she  finds  the  one  single  seat  at  hand  proffer- 
ing only  a  scanty  breadth.  One  may  well  provide 
for  these  contingencies,  for  of  course  it  is  not 
always  possible  to  select  our  acquaintances  in 
accordance  with  the  capacity  of  our  furniture. 
Heights,  too,  should  be  varied  somewhat,  though 
it  must  be  confessed  that  the  joy  of  life  (for  others) 
is  much  increased  by  the  sight  of  a  six-foot  (tall) 
gentleman  of  dignity  gradually  unfolding  himself 
from  the  chair  that  was  purchased  for  the  par- 
ticular use  of  Gwendolyn  Ermyntrude,  aged  six. 

THE  TABLE 

If  the  living  room,  among  its  other  uses,  takes 
the  place  of  the  library,  the  selection  of  a  suitable 
library  table  will  be  a  good  test  of  the  homemaker's 
discrimination.  The  quality  of  this  table  should 
be  at  least  equal  to  the  best  we  have  to  show. 
Whether  it  shall  be  squared,  or  oblong  with  oval 
ends,  depends  upon  tastes ;  by  all  means  it  should 


FURNITURE  85 

be  get-at-able.  That's  what  a  library  table  is  for. 
Good  designs  in  "  arts  and  crafts  "  may  be  had  as 
low  as  $16.50  in  a  small  size;  72-inch,  about  $50. 
Golden  oak  costs  less;  mahogany  considerably 
more. 

THE  DAVENPORT 

The  davenport  in  mahogany  or  oak,  in  a  plain 
or  striped  velour  tapestry,  felt  filled,  with  good 
springs,  built  on  straight  lines  with  claw  feet, 
broad  arms,  and  heavy  back,  is  a  good  article  and 
will  not  leave  much  change  out  of  a  $50  bill.  That 
represents  a  fair  price  for  a  fair  quality,  and  it 
would  be  better  to  do  without  the  davenport  than 
to  go  in  for  something  too  cheap.  The  sort  that 
have  detached  cushions  in  soft  leather  are  very 
nice  and  practically  dustless.  The  same  is  true  of 
easy  chairs  so  provided.  A  handsome  weathered- 
oak  davenport  with  cushions  of  this  kind  will  be 
found  marked  somewhere  about  $65,  while  half 
that  price  pays  for  an  easy  chair  of  the  same  style. 
The  cushions  are  filled  with  felt.  Springs  and  fill- 
ings in  davenports,  easy  chairs,  and  couches  should 
be  most  thoroughly  investigated.  If  there  are  carv- 
ings they  must  be  subjected  to  the  severest  tests 
of  appropriateness,  and  in  no  event  should  they  be 


86  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

where  they  will  come  in  frequent  contact  with  other 
articles  or  with  persons. 

BOOKCASES 

Bookcases  in  weathered  oak,  with  the  top  sec- 
tions of  the  doors  in  leaded  glass,  seem  worth  the 
prices  at  $28  for  30-inch,  $43.50  for  4-foot,  and 
$47.50  for  5-foot;  yet  a  simple  30-inch  golden  oak 
case  "  made  in  Grand  Bapids,"  and  of  which  no 
one  need  be  ashamed,  costs  but  $14.  Sectional 
cases  are  very  convenient,  and  are  now  being  de- 
signed in  artistic  styles,  but  are  not  yet  altogether 
approvable  for  the  parlor  or  living  room.  For  the 
library  simply,  they  are  to  be  recommended.  Book- 
cases and  other  heavy  pieces  should  either  set  sol- 
idly upon  the  floor  or  have  sufficient  open  space 
beneath  them  to  permit  cleaning.  Unless  their 
contents  are  (mistakenly)  hidden  by  curtains,  the 
bookcases  should  not  be  placed  in  too  strong  sun- 
light, as  some  bindings  fade  rapidly.  Nor  should 
they  be  near  the  heat  radiators,  or  against  a  wall 
that  may  possess  moisture.  The  piano,  too,  must 
be  protected  against  too  great  heat  or  moisture,  and 
in  a  stone  or  brick  house  should  be  placed  against 
a  partition  rather  than  the  outside  wall. 


FURNITURE  87 

SUNDRIES 

Useful,  but  not  life-or-death  essentials,  are  a 
tabouret  at,  say,  $3.25,  a  footrest  for  a  little  less, 
and  a  magazine  rack  for  $5  or  $10.  The  problem 
of  keeping  periodicals  in  easy  reach,  without  too 
much  of  a  "  litter'ry "  effect  has  not  yet  been 
solved.  The  open  rack  is  the  best  compromise 
between  sightliness  and  utility,  because  it  is  more 
apt  to  be  used  than  the  more  ambitious  arrange- 
ments with  doors.  In  the  general  treatment  of  the 
living  room  the  piano  and  its  case  are  not  to  be 
overlooked,  and  the  presence  of  a  piano  also  sug- 
gests the  music  cabinet,  with  its  problem  similar 
to  that  of  the  magazine  rack.  As  music  is  not  kept 
so  well  "  stirred  up,"  however,  the  cabinet  with  a 
tight  door  is  "  indicated." 

WILLOW   FURNITURE 

Willow  furniture  is  used  extensively  in  some 
country  homes.  It  is  made  of  the  French  willow, 
and  is  not  so  cheap  but  is  stronger  than  rattan. 
Best  rockers  in  this  material  sell  at  about  $20. 
They  are  hardly  to  be  considered  in  the  permanent 
furnishings  of  the  home,  though  there  is  no  denying 
their  cleanliness,  coolness,  and  comfort,  especially 
in  summer. 


88  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

THE   DINING  TABLE 

For  the  dining  room  the  sensible  preference 
seems  to  be  for  a  round  table  with  straight  lines 
of  under  construction.  The  pillar  base  gives  least 
interference  with  personal  comfort,  but  even  at 
that  seems  to  be  unescapable.  What  has  been  said 
elsewhere  about  the  choice  of  woods  applies  here 
also.  The  high  cost  of  a  large-size  mahogany 
table,  however,  will  probably  enable  us  to  see  some 
of  the  special  beauties  of  golden  oak.  A  six-foot 
round  table  in  the  latter  wood  is  priced  at  about 
$20.  Medium  height  chairs,  with  cane  seats,  $2.75 ; 
leather,  $3.25.  Sideboards  are  now  usually  built 
in ;  otherwise  the  buffet  table,  free  from  excessive 
ornamentation,  is  given  preference. 

DISCRIMINATION   IN  CHOICE 

A  great  deal  of  the  factory-made  furniture  of 
the  day  is  the  veriest  trash.  The  best  feature  of  it 
is  that  it  cannot  last  long  and  will  not  survive  to 
disgrace  us  in  the  eyes  of  a  later  and  perhaps  more 
discriminating  generation.  For  those  who  reside 
in  flats,  and  are  deprived  of  the  inducement  to  plan 
for  permanence,  small  blame  can  attach  for  hesi- 
tancy in  making  investments  in  the  better  sort  of 


FURNITURE  89 

furniture  that  their  tastes  would  lead  them  to 
choose.  This  is  the  penalty  they  pay  for  evading 
the  responsibilities  of  genuine  home  life  in  a 
house. 

But  good  furniture  is  being  built  in  these  days. 
It  is  not  confined  to  hand  work,  or  to  the  products 
of  long-haired  folk  who  set  up  a  religion  of  cabinet- 
making.  In  every  city  there  are  several  grades  of 
furniture  dealers.  At  the  one  extreme  there  is 
the  house  that  handles  nothing  but  trash;  at  the 
other  tibe  house  that  handles  no  trash  at  all.  The 
latter  is  the  obvious  choice;  and  if  we  pay  a  bit 
more  for  safety — well,  do  we  not  pay  for  our 
insurance  against  fire,  and  burglars,  and  other 
things  ? 

If  our  house  has  been  planned  on  a  scale  com- 
mensurate with  our  means,  we  shall  find  it  no  ex- 
travagance to  complete  the  larger  work  of  outfitting 
with  articles  that  will  bring  pleasure  and  not  vexa- 
tion, that  will  need  no  apologies.  Surely  no  em- 
ployment could  be  more  interesting  than  the  choice 
of  these  belongings  which  shall  in  many  ways  in- 
fluence ourselves  and  those  about  us. 

There  is  such  a  range  of  styles  and  costs  that 
if  we  approach  the  problem  intelligently  we  may 
"  express  ourselves  "  quite  as  accurately  as  though 


90  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

we  were  amateur  craftsmen.  Indeed,  we  must  ex- 
press ourselves,  whether  we  determine  to  do  so  or 
not;  for  if  we  simply  follow  our  cruder  instincts, 
as  the  child  selects  its  toys,  do  we  not  reveal  the 
absence  of  any  real  artistic  self  whatever  ? 


CHAPTEE  V 

HOUSEHOLD   LINEN 

MOST  of  us  "women  folk"  have  some  one 
dear  pet  hobby  which  we  love  to  humor 
and  to  cater  to,  and  which  variously  ex- 
presses itself  in  china,  bric-a-brac,  books,  collec- 
tions of  spoons  or  forks,  and  other  things  of  beauty 
and  joys  forever.  But  whatever  our  individual 
indulgences  may  be,  one  taste  we  share  in  common 
— the  love  of  neat  napery.  Her  heartstrings  must 
indeed  be  toughly  seasoned  who  feels  no  thrill  of 
pride  as  she  looks  upon  her  piles  of  shining,  satiny 
table  linen,  and  takes  account  of  her  sheet,  pillow- 
case and  towel  treasure.  They  are  her  stocks  and 
bonds,  giving  forth  daily  their  bounteous,  beaute- 
ous yield  of  daintiness  and  comfort,  and  paying 
for  themselves  many  times  over  by  the  atmosphere 
of  nicety  and  refinement  which  they  create.  For  it 
is  these  touches,  unobtrusive  by  their  very  delicacy, 
which  introduce  that  intangible  but  very  essential 
quality  known  as  tone  into  the  home  harmony. 

91 


92  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

Though  this  is  true  of  all  household  linen,  it  is 
especially  so  of  table  linen,  which  seems  to  weave 
into  its  delicate  patterns  and  traceries  all  the  light 
and  sunshine  of  the  room,  and  to  give  them  back 
to  us  in  the  warming,  quickening  good  cheer  which 
radiates  from  a  table  daintily  dressed.  Its  influ- 
ence refines,  as  all  that  is  chaste  and  pure  must 
refine,  and  helps  to  make  of  mealtime  something 
more  than  merely  mastication.  Human  nature's 
daily  food  seems  to  lose  something  of  its  gross- 
ness  in  its  snowy  setting,  and  to  gain  a  spiritual 
savor  which  finds  an  outlet  in  "  feasts  of  reason 
and  flows  of  soul."  When  we  have  immaculate 
table  linen  we  dine;  otherwise  we  simply  eat, 
and  there  are  whole  decades  of  civilization  be- 
tween the  two. 

LINEN,   PAST  AND   PRESENT 

Linen  is  a  fabric  with  a  past :  it  clothed  the  high 
priests  of  Israel  for  their  sacred  offices,  and  comes 
as  a  voice  from  the  tombs  of  Egypt,  where  it  en- 
wraps the  mummies  of  the  Pharaohs,  telling  of  a 
skill  in  weaving  so  marvelous  that  even  our  im- 
proved machinery  of  to-day  can  produce  nothing 
to  approach  it.  And  then  it  comes  on  down  through 
the  centuries  to  those  nearer  and  dearer  days  of 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  93 

our  grandmothers,  when  it  was  spun  and  woven 
by  gentle  fingers ;  while  the  halo  of  romance  hovers 
over  it  even  now  as  the  German  Hausfrau  fills  the 
dowry  chest  of  her  daughter  in  anticipation  of  the 
time  when  she,  in  turn,  shall  become  a  housewife. 
Small  wonder  that  we  love  it,  and  guard  jealously 
against  a  stain  on  its  unblemished  escutcheon. 

BLEACHED  AND   "HALF-BLEACHED" 

Belfast,  Ireland,  is  the  home  of  linen  and  dam- 
ask. There  are  manufactories  in  both  Scotland 
and  France,  but  it  is  in  Belfast  that  the  fabric 
attains  to  the  highest  perfection,  and  "  Irish  linen  " 
has  come  to  be  synonymous  with  excellence  of  de- 
sign and  weaving  and  luster — a  most  desirable 
trilogy.  The  prospective  purchaser  of  table  linen 
should  go  to  her  task  fortified  with  some  informa- 
tion on  the  subject,  that  she  may  not  find  herself 
totally  at  the  mercy  of  the  salesman,  who  often 
knows  little  about  his  line  of  goods  beyond  their 
prices.  First  of  all  she  will  probably  be  asked 
whether  she  prefers  bleached  or  unbleached  dam- 
ask. The  latter— called  "  half  -bleach  "  in  trade 
vernacular — is  made  in  Scotland  and  comes  in 
cheap  and  medium  grades  alone.  Though  it  lacks 
the  choiceness  of  design  and  the  beauty  and  fine- 


94  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ness  of  the  Belfast  bleached  linens,  it  is  good  for 
everyday  wear  and  quickly  whitens  when  laid  in 
the  sun  on  grass  or  snow;  while  the  fact  that  its 
cost  is  somewhat  less  than  that  of  the  correspond- 
ing quality  in  the  bleached  damask,  and  that  it 
wears  better,  recommends  it  to  many.  Occasion- 
ally the  chemicals  used  in  the  bleaching  process  are 
made  overstrong  to  hasten  whitening,  with  the  re- 
sult that  the  fibers  rot  after  a  while  and  little  cut- 
like  cracks  appear  in  the  fabric.  This  is  not  usual, 
but  of  course  the  unbleached  damask  precludes  all 
possibility  of  such  an  occurrence.  One  firm  in 
Belfast  still  conscientiously  employs  the  old  grass- 
and-sun  system  of  bleaching,  and  their  damask  is 
plainly  marked  "  Old  Bleach."  The  half -bleach  is 
sold  both  by  the  yard  and  in  patterns. 

DAMASK 

Damask,  by  the  way,  takes  its  name  from  the 
city  of  Damascus  where  the  fabric  was  first  made, 
and  is  simply  "  linen  so  woven  that  a  pattern  is 
produced  by  the  different  directions  of  the  thread," 
plain  damask  being  the  same  fabric,  but  unfigured. 
The  expression  "  double  damask  "  need  occasion  no 
alarm ;  it  does  not  imply  double  cost,  a  double  cloth, 
or  double  anything  except  a  double,  or  duplicate, 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  95 

design,  produced  by  the  introduction  of  an  extra 
thread  so  woven  in  that  the  figure  appears  exactly 
the  same  on  both  sides  of  the  cloth,  making  it 
reversible. 

QUALITY 

The  next  thing  will  be  to  decide  between  buying 
by  the  yard  and  buying  a  pattern  cloth  in  which 
the  border  continues  without  a  break  all  the  way 
around,  adding  about  ten  per  cent  to  the  price.  The 
designs  in  both  cloths  are  the  same  in  corresponding 
qualities.  We  are  knights  and  ladies  of  the  round 
table  these  days,  and  cloths  woven  specially  for 
use  thereon,  with  an  all-round  center  design,  come 
only  in  patterns.  Cloths  of  this  description  are 
used  also  on  square  tables,  as  the  wreath  effect  is 
very  decorative.  As  to  the  quality  of  damask,  it 
depends  not  so  much  upon  weight — for  the  finest 
cloths  are  by  no  means  the  heaviest — as  upon  the 
size  of  the  threads  and  the  closeness  and  firmness 
with  which  they  are  woven.  Avoid  the  loosely 
woven  fabric ;  it  will  neither  wear  nor  look  so  well 
as  the  one  in  which  the  threads  are  more  compact. 
In  the  better  damasks  the  threads  are  smoother  and 
finer  in  finish. 


96  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

DESIGN 

Styles  in  table  linens  change  from  time  to  time 
and  render  it  difficult  to  say  what  may  or  may  not 
he  used  with  propriety,  except  that  the  general 
principle  of  coarse,  heavy-looking  designs  heing  in 
poor  taste  always  holds  good.  One  pattern  alone 
has  proven  itself,  and  stood  the  test  of  time  so 
satisfactorily  that  it  is  as  high  as  ever  in  the  good 
housekeeper's  favor,  with  no  prospect  of  falling 
from  grace — our  old  friend  the  dainty,  modest 
snowdrop,  a  quiet,  unobtrusive  little  figure  in  a 
garden  array  of  roses,  English  violets,  lilacs,  tulips, 
irises,  and  poppies — for  these  are  flowery  times  in 
linens.  Occasionally  we  meet  with  a  scroll  or  fern 
design,  though  the  latter  is  gradually  falling  into 
disuse  as  heing  too  stiff  to  twine  and  weave  into 
graceful  lines.  So  true  to  nature  and  so  exquis- 
itely woven  are  these  posy  patterns  that  they  form 
in  themselves  a  most  charming  table  decoration. 
In  order  to  secure  perfect  reproduction  a  manu- 
facturer in  Belfast  has  established  and  maintains 
a  greenhouse  where  his  designers  draw  direct  from 
the  natural  flower.  This  care  is  but  the  outgrowth 
of  the  more  refined  living  which  demands  that 
beauty  shall  walk  hand-in-hand  with  utility. 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  97 

PRICE  AND   SIZE 

Before  our  housekeeper  starts  a-shopping  she 
must  lock  up  her  zeal  for  economy  lest  it  lead  her 
away  from  the  straight  and  narrow  way  of  good 
taste  into  that  broader  path  which  leads  to  the  bar- 
gain counter.  She  may  as  well  make  up  her  mind 
at  once  that  desirable  table  linen  is  not  cheap,  the 
sorts  offered  at  a  very  low  price  being  neither 
economical  nor  desirable,  and  that  a  cheap  cloth 
which  cheapens  all  of  its  surroundings  is  dearly 
bought  at  any  price.  Occasionally  the  experienced 
shopper  can  pick  up  at  a  sale  of  odd-length  or 
soiled  damasks  something  which  is  really  a  good 
offering,  particularly  during  the  annual  linen  sale 
which  falls  in  January.  But  as  a  rule  beware  of 
bargains !  The  fabric  is  liable  to  be  a  "  second  " 
with  some  imperfection,  or  to  contain  a  thread  of 
cotton  which  gives  it  a  rough  look  when  laundered, 
and  there  is  generally  a  shortage  in  width — which 
suggests  the  advisability  of  measuring  the  table 
top  before  buying,  for  cloths  come  in  different 
widths,  and  one  which  is  too  narrow  looks  out- 
grown and  awkward  and — stingy!  The  average 
table  is  about  4  feet  across,  and  requires  a  cloth 
2  yards  square,  though  in  buying  by  the  yard  it 


98  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

is  safe  to  allow  an  extra  quarter  for  straighten- 
ing the  edges  and  hemming.  The  cloth  should 
hang  at  least  a  foot  below  the  edge  of  the  table, 
with  an  increase  of  half  a  yard  in  length  for  each 
additional  table  leaf.  A  cloth  2  yards  square  will 
seat  four  people ;  2  by  2^,  six ;  2  by  3,  eight ;  2  by 
3J,  ten ;  and  2  by  4,  twelve.  A  wider  table  calls  for 
a  half  or  a  quarter  of  a  yard  more  in  the  width  of 
the  cloth,  at  some  little  additional  cost,  as  fewer 
cloths  in  extra  widths  are  made  or  called  for. 
Usually  a  good  pattern  runs  through  three  quali- 
ties of  table  linen,  with  napkins  in  two  sizes  to 
match — 22-inch  for  breakfast  and  luncheon  use, 
and  24-inch  for  dinner.  These  are  the  standard 
sizes  most  generally  used,  though  napkins  are 
to  be  had  both  larger  and  smaller.  A  napkin 
should  be  soft  and  pliable,  and  large  enough  to 
cover  the  knees  well.  Prices  on  all-linen  bleached 
satin  damask  pattern  cloths,  with  accompanying 
napkins,  are  about  as  appear  in  the  list  on  the 
opposite  page: 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN 
CLOTHS. 


99 


GOOD  QUALITY. 

BETTER. 

EXTRA  GOOD. 

2x2    yards,  each 

$2.00-$2.75 

$3.50 

$4.50-$5.25 

2     x  2£      " 

2.50-  3.50 

4.50 

5.75-  6.75 

2x3 

<{ 

3.00-  4.25 

5.25 

6.75-  8.00 

2     x  3i 

« 

3.50-  4.85 

6.25 

8.00-  9.25 

2x4 

u 

4.00-  5.50 

7.00 

9.00-10.75 

3i  x  2i 

a 

2.90-  3.75 

4.50 

6.00-  7.75 

2i  x  2i 

II 

4.25-  4.50 

5.25 

7.50-  8.75 

2i  x  3 

(1 

5.00-  5.50 

6.25 

9.00-10.50 

2|  x  3* 

M 

6.25-  6.50 

7.50 

10.50-12.25 

Si  x  4 

M 

7.00-  .... 

8.50 

12.00-14.00 

2i  x  4£ 

II 

13.50-14.75 

2£  x  5 

« 

15.00-17.50 

2£  x  2f 

1 

11.00-13.00 

3x3 

1 

15.00-16.00 

86  x    90  inches,  ' 

3.50 

86  x  108      " 

4.25 

86  x  126      "       < 

5.00 

86  x  144      "       ' 

5.75 

NAPKINS. 


22  x  22  inches,  dozen 

$2.50-$3.00 

$3.75 

$5.00-  $5.50 

23  x  23   " 

3.00  .... 

5.25 

7.00-  7.50 

24  x  24  " 

3.00-  3.75 

25  x  25   " 

3.50  .... 

5.25 

27  x  27  " 

6.25-  7.50 



The  3X3  yards  cloth  is  called  a  banquet  cloth, 
and  is  one  for  which  the  average  housekeeper 
would  have  little  use. 


NECESSARY   SUPPLY 


The  amount  of  table  linen  to  be  bought  for  the 
first  "  fitting  out "  depends  upon  the  fatness  of  the 
pocketbook  and  the  room  available  for  stowing  it 


100  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

away.  Since  there  are  so  many  other  expenses  at 
this  time  the  best  way  will  probably  be  to  buy  all 
that  will  be  needed  for  a  year,  and  then  add  to  it 
one  or  two  cloths  with  their  napkins  each  succeed- 
ing year.  Three  cloths  of  the  right  length  for 
everyday  use,  and  one  long  "  family-gathering " 
cloth,  with  a  dozen  napkins  to  match  each,  will  be 
a  good  start.  If  the  special-occasion  cloth  seems 
to  be  too  costly,  two  short  cloths  of  duplicate  pat- 
tern can  be  substituted  for  it,  the  centerpiece  and 
a  clever  arrangement  of  decorations  hiding  the 
joining.  If  table  linen  is  to  be  stored  away  and 
not  used  for  some  time  after  its  purchase,  the 
dressing  which  it  contains  must  be  thoroughly 
washed  out,  else  the  chemicals  are  liable  to  rot  the 
fabric.  It  is  advisable,  too,  to  put  not-to-be-used 
damask  away  rough-dry,  otherwise  it  may  crack 
in  the  folds.  The  use  of  colored  table  linens  is  in 
the  worst  possible  taste,  except  on  the  servants' 
table.  Those  flaming  ferocities  known  as  "  turkey- 
red  "  cloths,  which  seem  to  fairly  fly  at  one,  are 
not  only  inartistic  but  altogether  too  suggestive 
of  economy  in  laundering  to  be  appetizing  table 
companions. 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  101 

PLAIN,  HEMSTITCHED,  OR  DRAWN 

Cloths  bought  by  the  yard  must  be  evened  at 
the  ends  by  drawing  a  thread,  and  hemmed  by  hand, 
never  stitched  on  the  machine.  The  inch  hem  of 
a  few  years  ago  has  been  superseded  by  the  very 
narrow  one  which  is  always  in  good  taste,  regard- 
less of  style.  Napkins  come  by  the  piece  and  must 
be  divided  and  hemmed  on  two  sides,  rubbing  well 
between  the  hands  first  to  remove  the  stiffness. 
There  is  nothing  handsomer  or  more  elegant  than 
the  fine,  hemmed  table  linen,  but  if  a  hemstitched 
cloth  is  desired,  or  one  containing  some. drawn- 
work  design,  it  is  better  to  buy  the  material  and 
do  the  work  oneself;  otherwise,  the  expense  goes 
into  the  work,  not  the  linen,  and  the  cost  is  usually 
about  double  that  of  the  same  cloth  plainly  finished. 
Hemstitching  and  fancy  work  are  appropriate  only 
on  cloths  for  the  luncheon  table,  which  may  be  of 
either  plain  or  figured  damask,  or  of  heavy  linen, 
which  is  often  effectively  combined  with  Batten- 
berg  and  linen  laces.  Neither  drawn  work  nor 
hemstitching  wears  well,  drawing  the  threads  seem- 
ing to  weaken  the  fabric.  Very  pretty  luncheon 
cloths  can  be  purchased  in  different  sizes  for  $1.50, 
$1.75,  $2.00,  $2.75,  etc.,  according  to  size,  material, 
and  elaboration,  with  accompanying  napkins,  18  by 


1Q2  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

18  inches,  for  $2.50  or  more  a  dozen.  A  cloth  just 
the  size  of  the  table  top  is  a  convenient  luncheon 
size.  These  cloths  save  much  wear  on  the  large 
cloths,  and  laundry  work  as  well. 

DOILIES   AND   TABLE   DRESSING 

The  pretty  present-day  fashion  of  using  indi- 
vidual plate  doilies  on  a  polished  table  at  break- 
fast and  luncheon  is  also  labor-saving.  The  plate 
doilies,  either  square,  oval,  or  round,  and  of  plain 
damask  or  smooth,  closely  woven,  rather  heavy 
linen,  are  hemstitched  or  finished  with  a  padded 
scallop  worked  with  white  cotton.  The  round 
doily  is  most  used,  and  offers  a  delightful  field  to 
the  worker  in  over-and-over  embroidery  for  the 
display  of  her  skill.  Linen  lace  combinations  are 
also  used,  but  they  are  rather  for  4ress-up  than 
for  daily  use.  The  plate  doilies  should  be  at  least 
9  inches  wide,  with  smaller  corresponding  ones 
on  which  to  set  the  glass  of  water  or  the  hot  cup, 
and  an  extra  one  or  two  for  small  dishes  for  rel- 
ishes and  the  like  that  may  be  kept  on  the  table,  etc. 
They  can  be  bought  for  25  cents  a  piece  and  up- 
ward, but  the  average  housekeeper  enjoys  making 
her  own,  taking  them  for  "  pick-up  "  work.  Small 
fringed  napkins  are  also  used  in  the  same  way, 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  103 

and  for  tray  covers,  but  fringe  soon  grows  to  look 
"  dog-eared,"  and  mats  in  the  laundering.  Still 
another  dressing  for  the  bare  table  is  the  long 
hemstitched  linen  strip,  12  inches  wide,  which  runs 
the  length  of  the  table,  hanging  over  the  end,  and 
is  crossed  at  the  middle  by  a  second  strip  extend- 
ing over  the  sides,  two  strips  thus  seating  four 
people.  When  six  are  to  be  seated  the  cross-piece 
is  moved  to  one  side  and  a  third  corresponding 
strip  placed  about  18  inches  from  it. 

The  list  of  table  linen  is  incomplete  without  a 
damask  carving  cloth  to  match  each  tablecloth, 
which  it  protects  from  spatterings  from  the  platter. 
This  also  may  be  fashioned  of  plain  linen,  should 
be  about  three-quarters  of  a  yard  wide  and  a  yard 
long,  and  either  hemstitched  or  scalloped — em- 
broidered, too,  if  one  cares  to  put  that  much  energy 
into  work  which  will  show  so  little.  And  then  there 
must  be  some  doilies  to  overlay  the  Canton-flan- 
nel-covered asbestos  mats  for  use  under  hot  dishes. 

CENTERPIECES 

Styles  in  centerpieces  are  fleeting ;  just  now  all- 
white  holds  sway,  and  of  a  surety  there  is  nothing 
daintier.  Although  pretty  centers  can  be  pur- 
chased all  the  way  up  from  $1,  here  again  the  mis- 


104  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

tress's  industrious  fingers  come  into  play,  for  there 
is  a  certain  unbnyable  satisfaction  in  working  a 
little  of  one's  very  self  into  the  table  adornment, 
and  really  handsome  centerpieces  are  quite  expen- 
sive. They  run  in  sizes  from  12  to  45  inches.  The 
center  with  doilies  to  match  is  pretty  and  desirable. 
It  is  quite  as  easy  to  arrange  them  in  this  way  as 
to  gather  in  an  ill-assorted,  mismated  collection. 
Those  for  daily  use  should  be  rather  simple  and  of 
a  quality  which  will  not  suffer  from  frequent  inter- 
course with  the  washtub. 

MONOGRAMS 

The  fashion  of  embroidering  monograms  on 
table  linen  must  be  handled  with  care ;  the  working 
over-and-over  of  the  padded  letters  with  fine  cotton 
thread  is  a  nice  task  which  requires  experience  and 
skill.  The  cloth  monograms  are  from  2  to  3  inches 
high  and  are  placed  at  one  side  of  the  center, 
toward  the  corner.  Either  the  full  monogram  or 
an  initial  is  appropriate  in  the  corner  of  the  nap- 
kin, and  to  be  in  the  best  taste  should  never  be 
more  than  an  inch  high.  These  letters  are  either 
plain,  in  circlets,  or  surrounded  with  running  vines, 
and  add  that  distinction  to  the  napery  which  hand- 
work always  imparts. 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  105 

CARE   OF  TABLE   LINEN 

Table  linen,  like  friendship,  must  be  kept  con- 
stantly in  repair.  Look  out  for  the  thin  places  and 
darn  before  they  have  a  chance  to  wear  through. 
Bavelings  from  the  cloth  should  be  kept  for  this 
purpose.  A  carefully  applied  patch  or  darn  is 
scarcely  noticeable  after  laundering.  The  hardest 
wear  comes  where  the  cloth  hangs  over  the  edge 
of  the  table,  at  head  and  foot.  When  it  begins  to 
be  thin  at  these  places  cut  off  one  end  at  the  worn 
point,  if  the  cloth  is  sufficiently  long  to  warrant  it, 
and  hem  the  raw  edge.  This  draws  the  other  worn 
place  well  up  on  the  table  where  the  friction  is 
much  less,  considerably  lengthening  the  life  of  the 
cloth.  The  cut-off  end  may  be  converted  into 
fringed  napkins,  on  which  to  lay  croquettes,  fried 
potatoes,  etc.,  doilies  for  bread  and  cake  plates, 
children's  napkins,  or  tray  covers.  Old  table  linen 
passes  through  several  stages  of  decline  before  it 
becomes  absolutely  useless;  when  too  much  worn 
for  table  purposes  it  enwraps  our  bread  and  cake 
and  strains  our  jellies,  and  when  at  last  it  has  won 
the  well-earned  rest  of  age,  it  still  waits  in  neat 
rolls  to  bandage  our  cuts  and  bruises. 


106  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

HOW  TO   LAUNDER 

There  is  a  saying  that  "  Old  linen  whitens  best," 
to  which  we  might  also  add  that  it  looks  best,  gain- 
ing additional  smoothness  and  gloss  with  each 
laundering.  Table  linen  should  never  dry  on  the 
line,  but  be  brought  in  while  still  damp,  very  care- 
fully folded,  and  ironed  bone-dry,  with  abundant 
"  elbowgrease."  This  is  the  only  way  to  give  it 
a  "  satin  gloss."  Never  use  starch.  The  pieces 
should  be  folded  evenly  and  carefully,  with  but  one 
crease — down  the  middle — and  not  checker-boarded 
with  dozens  of  lines.  Centers  and  large  doilies  are 
best  disposed  of  by  rolling  over  a  round  stick  well 
padded. 

TABLE   PADS 

Much  wear  and  tear  on  both  table  and  cloth 
is  prevented  by  the  use  of  a  double-faced  Canton- 
flannel  pad,  which  prevents  the  cloth  from  cutting 
through  on  the  edges,  gives  it  body,  softens  the 
clatter  of  the  dishes,  and  absorbs  liquids.  It  comes 
in  1J-  and  If-yard  widths  and  sells  for  65  to  85 
cents  a  yard.  Pads  of  asbestos  are  also  used,  but 
are  far  more  expensive.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  have 
two  if  possible — one  for  use  on  the  everyday  table, 
and  a  longer  one  to  cover  the  family-gathering 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  107 

table.  Covers  for  the  sideboard  and  any  small 
table  used  in  the  dining  room  are  of  hemstitched 
or  scalloped  linen,  either  plain  or  embroidered — 
never  ruffled  or  fluffy. 

READY-MADE   BED   LINEN 

Buying  bed  linen  is  not  so  very  serious  a  mat- 
ter. Drygoods  stores  offer  sheets  and  pillowcases 
ready  made  to  fit  any  sized  bed  or  pillow  at  prices 
little,  if  any,  greater  than  the  cost  of  those  made  at 
home.  Merchants  say  that  they  sell  one  hundred 
sheets  ready  made  to  one  by  the  yard,  which  speaks 
well,  not  for  their  goods  alone,  but  for  the  spirit 
of  housewifely  economy  which  maintains  that  labor 
saved  is  time  and  strength  earned.  Moreover,  the 
deluded  seeker  after  bed  beauty  who  wastes  her 
precious  hours  in  hemstitching  sheets  and  pillow- 
cases— cotton  ones  at  that — is  a  reckless  spend- 
thrift, and  needs  a  course  in  the  economics  of 
common  sense.  Nothing  is  more  desirable  than 
the  simple  elegance  of  the  plain,  broad  hem,  nor 
more  disheartening  than  hemstitching  which  has 
broken  from  its  moorings  while  the  rest  of  the 
sheet  is  still  perfectly  good — a  way  it  has.  Hem- 
stitching may  answer  on  linen  sheets  which  are  not 
in  constant  use,  but  ordinarily  let  us  have  the  more 


108  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

profitable  plainness.  Good  sheets  are  always  torn 
— not  cut — and  finished  with  a  2J-  or  3-inch  hem 
at  the  top  and  an  inch  hem  at  the  bottom,  the  fin- 
ished sheet  measuring  not  less  than  2f  yards. 
There  must  be  ample  length  to  turn  back  well  over 
the  blankets  and  to  tuck  in  at  the  foot,  for  it  is  a 
most  irritating  sensation  to  waken  in  the  night 
with  the  wool  tickling  one's  toes  and  scratching 
one's  chin.  Sheets  are  to  be  had  in  varying  widths 
to  suit  different  sized  beds. 

PRICE  AND  QUALITY 

The  2f-yard  length  in  an  average  sheet  of 
good  quality  costs  90  cents  for  a  double  bed,  75 
cents  for  a  three-quarter  bed,  and  45  cents  for  a 
single  bed,  with  hemstitched  sheets  of  correspond- 
ing quality  at  the  same  price.  It  is  hardly  worth 
while  to  pay  more  than  this,  while  very  good  sheets 
are  to  be  had  for  75  cents,  with  a  decrease  in  price 
as  the  width  decreases.  Half-bleach  double-bed 
sheets  of  good  quality  cost  85  and  70  cents,  and  so 
on,  and  are  more  especially  for  servants'  beds. 
They  are  popularly  supposed  to  outwear  the 
bleached,  but  are  somewhat  trying  bedfellows  until 
whitened. 

Plain   or  hemstitched  pillowcases   cost   from 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  109 

25  to  75  cents  a  pair,  each  additional  width  rais- 
ing the  price  5  cents.  The  average  or  sleeping-size 
pillow  is  22|  by  36^  inches,  and  calls  for  a  case 
enough  larger  to  slip  on  easily,  but  not  loose  nor 
long  enough  to  hang  over  the  sides  of  the  bed.  If 
pillows  of  different  sizes  are  in  use  their  cases 
should  be  numbered. 

Bed  linen  should  be  firmly  woven,  with  a  thread 
rather  coarse  than  fine.  The  amount  purchased 
must  be  regulated  by  the  number  of  beds  to  be 
furnished,  allowing  three  sheets  and  three  pairs  of 
cases  to  each.  The  supply  can  always  be  easily 
added  to,  but  if  expedient  for  any  reason  to  buy  in 
large  quantities,  set  apart  enough  to  supply  all  the 
beds  and  keep  the  rest  in  reserve,  otherwise  it  will 
all  give  out  at  once.  If  the  housewife  is  so  unfor- 
tunately situated  that  she  is  forced  to  make  her 
own  bed  linen,  she  will  do  well  to  buy  her  material 
by  the  piece — 40  to  50  yards.  All  hems  can  be  run 
on  the  machine. 

REAL   LINEN 

Though  not  everyone  likes  the  "  feel "  of  linen, 
most  housekeepers  are  ambitious  to  include  a  cer- 
tain amount  with  their  other  bed  linens,  for  use  in 
the  summer  or  during  illness,  because  of  its  non- 
absorbent  qualities.  Sheets  cost  $3,  $3.50,  $4,  $5, 


110  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

$6,  and  on  up  to  $17,  the  more  expensive  ones 
being  embellished  with  hemstitching,  scallops,  or 
lace.  Pillowcases  to  correspond  sell  at  from  $1.25 
up.  Linen  for  this  purpose  is  always  bleached, 
the  90-inch  sheeting  being  $1  to  $3  a  yard,  the 
45-inch  pillowcasing  50  cents  to  $1.50  a  yard, 
and  50-inch  casing  75  cents  to  $2  a  yard.  Inch- 
high  monograms  or  letters  may  be  embroidered  in 
white  at  the  middle  of  sheets  and  pillowcases,  just 
above  the  hem.  When  sheets  wear  thin  down  the 
center,  tear  and  "  turn,"  whipping  the  selvages  to- 
gether and  hemming  the  torn  edges,  which  become 
the  new  edges  of  the  sheet.  Old  bed  linen  makes 
the  finest  kind  of  cleaning  cloths,  and  should  be 
folded  neatly  away  for  that  purpose,  sheets  being 
reserved  for  the  ironing  board. 

SUGGESTIONS   ABOUT   TOWELS 

Towels  are  best  purchased  by  the  dozen,  huck 
of  Irish  bleached  linen  being  best  for  all-around 
use.  These  have  good  absorbent  qualities,  plain  or 
hemstitched  hems,  measure  from  18  by  36  inches  to 
24  by  42  inches,  and  cost  from  $2.50  to  $6  a  dozen. 
Some  of  these  are  "  Old  Bleach  "  linen,  and  there- 
fore both  desirable  and  durable.  Pass  by  towels 
with  colored  borders;  the  colored  part  is  always 


HOUSEHOLD    LINEN  111 

cotton,  and  is  in  poor  taste  anyway.  Some  huck 
towels  have  damask  borders ;  other  towels  are  of 
all-damask,  costing  from  $6  to  $12  a  dozen,  but 
huck  is  the  stand-by.  Fringed  towels,  of  course, 
are  not  to  be  considered  for  a  moment.  Each 
member  of  the  family  should  have  his  own  indi- 
vidual towel,  or  set  of  towels,  distinguished  by 
some  mark,  particularly  children,  who  find  it  hard 
to  learn  that  towels  are  for  drying,  not  cleansing, 
purposes.  Those  for  their  use  may  be  smaller  and 
cheaper.  Turkish  or  bath  towels  are  of  either 
cotton  or  linen,  the  latter  being  more  for  friction 
purposes  and  costing  $6  to  $12  a  dozen.  The  cotton 
absorbs  better  and  is  most  generally  used  for  the 
bath.  Good  values  in  towels  of  this  kind  are  to  be 
had  for  $2.50,  $2.85,  $3,  and  $4.50  a  dozen.  .Good 
crash  face  cloths  cost  5  cents  and  even  less. 

Household  linens  must  include,  too,  the  6  barred- 
linen  kitchen  towels  at  10,  12,  or  15  cents  a  yard, 
for  drying  silver  and  glass ;  and  6  heavier  towels, 
either  barred  or  crash,  for  china  and  other  ware, 
at  the  same  price,  with  3  roller  towels  at  10  cents 
per  yard ;  while  last,  but  by  no  means  least,  come 
the  dozen  neatly  hemmed  cheesecloth  dusters  at 
5  cents  a  yard,  for  men  must  work  and  women  must 
sweep — and  dust ! 


CHAPTER   VI 

THE   KITCHEN 

THE  old  condition  of  "  Queen- Anne-in-the- 
front-and-Mary-Ann-in-the-back "  in  the 
home  furnishing,  when  the  largest  outlay 
of  money  and  taste  was  put  into  the  "  front  room  " 
and  the  kitchen  took  the  hindermost,  has  gradually 
given  way  before  the  fact  that  a  woman  is  known, 
not  by  the  drawing-room,  but  by  the  kitchen,  she 
keeps.  Given  the  requisite  qualifications  for  the 
proper  furnishing,  care,  and  ordering  of  her 
kitchen,  and  it  can  usually  be  said  of  her  with  truth 
that  she  is  mistress  of  the  entire  home-making  and 
home-keeping  situation.  If  any  one  room  in  the 
home  was  conceived  solely  for  the  relief  of  man's 
estate,  that  room  is  the  kitchen,  and  it  has  supplied 
the  energy  which  has  sent  forth  many  a  one  to 
fight  a  winning  battle  with  the  world,  the  flesh,  and 
the  devil;  and  while  it  is,  alas,  too  true  that  it  is 
the  rock  upon  which  many  a  domestic  ship  has  gone 
to  pieces,  it  is  the  true  foundation  of  the  home  and, 


THE    KITCHEN  113 

therefore,  of  the  nation.     Wherefore  let  us  first 
look  well  to  our  kitchens  and  then  live  up  to  them. 

THE  PLAN 

The  kitchen  of  our  grandmothers  was  a  large, 
rambling  affair,  with  numerous  storerooms,  closets, 
and  pantries,  the  care  of  which  involved  a  stupen- 
dous outlay  of  time  and  strength.  But  the  demands 
of  our  modern  and  more  strenuous  life  necessitate 
strict  economy  of  both,  and  the  result  is  a  kitchen 
sufficiently  large  for  all  practical  purposes,  with 
every  space  utilized  and  everything  convenient  to 
the  hand.  The  amount  of  woodwork  is  reduced 
to  a  minimum,  since  wood  is  a  harboring  place  for 
insects  and  germs.  Where  it  must  be  used  it  is  of 
hard  wood,  or  of  pine  painted  and  varnished,  the 
varnish  destroying  those  qualities  in  paint  which 
are  deleterious  to  health.  The  plumbing  must  be 
open,  with  no  dark  corners  in  which  dust  may  hide. 
Odors  from  cooking  pass  out  through  a  register 
in  the  chimney,  and  ventilation  is  afforded  by 
transom  and  window.  Blessed  indeed  is  the  kitchen 
with  opposite  windows,  which  insure  a  perfect  cir- 
culation of  air.  So  much  for  the  general  working 
plan. 


114  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

LOCATION   AND   FINISH 

For  some  reason  best  known  to  themselves 
architects  almost  invariably  give  to  the  kitchen  the 
location  with  the  least  agreeable  outlook,  sun  and 
scenery  being  seemingly  designed  for  the  exclusive 
use  of  living  and  dining  rooms ;  whereas  the  house- 
keeper realizes  the  great  value  of  the  sun  as  an 
aid  to  sanitation  and  as  a  soul  strengthener,  and 
wishes  that  its  beneficent  influence  might  be  shed 
over  kitchen,  cook,  and  cookery.  But  the  frequent 
impossibility  of  this  only  increases  the  necessity 
for  simulating  sunshine  within,  and  so  we  select 
cream  white,  warm,  light  grays  or  browns,  In- 
dian red,  or  bronze  green — which  is  particularly 
good  with  oak  woodwork — for  walls  and  ceilings. 
Waterproof  paper  may  be  used,  but  is  not  particu- 
larly durable.  Far  better  is  the  enameled  paint, 
requiring  three  coats,  or  painted  burlap.  Or  our 
thoughts  may  turn  with  longing  to  a  white-tiled 
kitchen,  with  its  air  of  spotless  purity,  but,  too 
often,  "beyond  the  reach  of  you  and  me."  Why 
not  substitute  for  it  the  white  marbled  oilcloth 
which  produces  much  the  same  effect,  and  can  be 
smoothly  fitted  if  a  little  glue  is  added  to  the  paste 
with  which  it  is  put  on?  A  combination  of  white 


THE    KITCHEN  115 

woodwork  with  blue  walls  and  ceiling  is  charming, 
particularly  where  the  blue-enameled  porcelain- 
lined  cooking  utensils  are  used,  and  the  same  idea 
can  be  carried  out  in  the  floor  covering.  White 
with  yellow  is  also  dainty.  Calcimine  is  not  de- 
sirable in  the  kitchen,  as  it  cannot  be  cleaned  and 
is,  therefore,  unsanitary.  Two  tablespoonfuls  of 
kerosene  added  to  the  cleaning  water  will  keep 
woodwork,  walls,  and  ceilings  fresh  and  glossy.  A 
long-handled  mopholder  fitted  with  a  coarse  car- 
riage sponge  will  facilitate  the  cleaning  of  the 
latter. 

THE   FLOOR 

Despite  the  fact  that  we  are  enjoined  to  "  look 
up,  not  down,"  the  floor  seems  to  be  the  focal  point 
to  anyone  entering  the  kitchen,  and  it  becomes  a 
source  of  pride  or  humiliation  to  the  occupant  ac- 
cording to  its  condition.  A  beautiful,  snowy  hard- 
wood floor,  "  clean  enough  to  eat  on,"  is  a  delight, 
but  it  has  such  an  insatiable  appetite  for  spots  after 
the  newness  has  worn  off  that  it  requires  frequent 
scrubbing — twice  a  week  at  least — and  on  a  dry 
day,  if  possible,  with  doors  and  windows  opened 
during  the  operation,  all  of  which  means  energy 
misapplied.  To  be  sure,  the  new  "  colonial  "  cotton- 


116  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

rag  rugs,  woven  in  harmony  with  the  general  color 
scheme,  protect  the  floor  and  help  to  relieve  the 
strain  of  much  standing,  and  can  be  washed  and 
dried  as  satisfactorily  as  any  piece  of  cotton  cloth  ; 
while  raw  oil,  applied  with  a  soft  cloth  or  a  hand- 
ful of  waste  every  two  months,  will  keep  the  floor 
in  good  condition.  But  the  housekeeper  who 
chooses  the  better  part  covers  her  floor  with  lino- 
leum at  comparatively  small  cost,  a  piece  good 
both  in  quality  and  design  selling  at  60  cents  a 
square  yard.  In  this,  too,  the  color  idea  can  be 
carried  out,  the  smaller  designs  being  preferable. 
Neutral  tints  follow  wood-carpeting  designs,  are 
neat,  and  less  apt  to  soil  than  the  lighter  pat- 
terns. It  is  a  wise  plan  in  buying  to  allow  enough 
linoleum  for  three  smaller  pieces  to  be  placed  be- 
fore stove,  table,  and  sink,  thus  saving  wear  and 
tear  on  the  large  piece.  Thus  covered,  the  floor 
is  easily  cleaned  with  a  damp  cloth.  It  must  be 
thoroughly  swept  once  a  day,  followed  by  a  general 
dusting  of  the  room,  with  brushings  up  between 
times. 

THE  WINDOWS 

Kitchen  windows  must  be  washed  once  a  week — 
oftener  in  fly  time.  A  dainty  valance,  or  sash  cur- 
tains of  muslin,  dimity,  or  other  summer  wash 


THE    KITCHEN  117 

goods,  give  an  attractive  and  homey  touch  to  the 
room.  Each  window  should  have  a  shade  with  a 
double  fixture,  fastened  at  the  middle  of  the  case- 
ment and  adjusted  upward  and  below  from  that 
point. 

THE   SINK 

The  sink,  unless  it  is  porcelain-lined,  should  be 
kept  well  painted  and  enameled,  white  being  pref- 
erable to  any  color.  Faucets  can  be  kept  bright 
by  rubbing  with  whiting  and  alcohol,  followed  by 
a  vigorous  polishing  with  a  bit  of  flannel.  It  surely 
cannot  be  necessary  to  suggest  the  dangers  arising 
from  an  untidy  sink  in  which  refuse  of  various 
kinds — tea  leaves,  coffee  grounds,  vegetable  par- 
ings, and  the  like — is  allowed  to  accumulate.  Un- 
sanitary conditions  about  the  sink  not  only  are 
unsightly,  but  attract  roaches  and  breed  germs 
which  are  a  menace  to  life  and  health.  The  rinsing 
water  from  coffee  and  tea  pots  and  cooking  uten- 
sils should  be  poured  into  the  sink  strainer,  which 
catches  the  odds  and  ends  of  refuse  and  keeps  them 
from  clogging  the  drain  pipe.  Grease  must  never 
be  poured  into  the  sink,  nor  dish  nor  cleaning  cloths 
used  after  they  are  worn  enough  to  shed  lint.  Boil- 
ing water  and  ammonia  should  be  poured  down 


118  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

the  drain  pipe  once  a  day,  which  treatment  must 
be  supplemented  once  a  week  with  a  dose  of  dis- 
infectant— chloride  of  lime,  copperas,  or  potash 
in  boiling  water.  An  occasional  inspection  by  a 
plumber  makes  assurance  doubly  sure  that  the  con- 
dition of  the  drain  pipe  is  as  it  should  be.  All 
refuse  ought  to  be  burned  at  once  or  put  into  a 
covered  garbage  can  and  disposed  of  as  soon  as 
possible.  The  can  itself  must  be  scalded  every 
day  with  sal  soda  water,  thoroughly  dried,  and 
lined  with  thick,  clean  paper. 

THE    PANTRY 

The  same  treatment  accorded  the  kitchen  in 
decoration  and  care  must  be  bestowed  also  upon 
the  pantry,  which  should  be  dry  and  well  ventilated. 
After  a  thorough  scrubbing  with  soap  and  water, 
with  the  aid  of  a  dish  mop  rinse  the  shelves  with 
boiling  water,  dry  carefully,  and  cover  with  plain 
white  paper,  using  the  ornamental  shelf  paper  for 
the  edges.  White  table  oilcloth  makes  a  good  cov- 
ering, and  comes  specially  prepared  with  a  fancy 
border  for  that  purpose.  The  convenient  pantry 
is  equipped  with  both  shelves  and  drawers,  the 
latter  to  contain  the  neatly  folded  piles  of  dish, 
glass,  and  hand  towels,  cheesecloth  dusters,  hold- 


THE    KITCHEN  119 

ers,  and  cleaning  cloths.  There  are  usually  four 
shelves,  the  top  one  being  reserved  for  articles  of 
infrequent  use.  On  the  others  are  arranged  the 
kitchen  dishes,  pans,  and  all  utensils  which  do  not 
hang,  together  with  jars  and  cans  containing  food. 
Leave  nothing  in  paper  bags  or  boxes  to  attract 
insects,  soil  the  shelves,  and  give  a  disorderly  ap- 
pearance to  an  otherwise  tidy  pantry.  Glass  fruit 
jars  are  desirable  repositories  for  small  dry  gro- 
ceries— tea,  coffee,  rice,  tapioca,  raisins,  currants, 
and  the  like — though  very  dainty  and  serviceable 
covered  porcelain  jars  in  blue  and  white  are  made 
especially  for  this  purpose,  those  of  medium  size 
costing  25  cents  each,  the  smaller  ones  less,  the 
larger  more.  Jars  or  cans  of  japanned  tin,  de- 
signed for  like  use,  are  less  expensive,  but  also  less 
attractive,  and  in  the  course  of  time  are  liable  to 
rust,  particularly  in  summer,  or  where  the  climate 
is  at  all  damp.  The  shelves  should  be  wiped  off 
and  regulated  once  a  week,  and  crockery  and  uten- 
sils kept  as  bright  and  shining  as  plenty  of  soap 
and  hot  water  can  make  them.  The  pantry  requires 
special  care  during  the  summer,  when  dust  and 
flies  are  prone  to  corrupt  its  spotlessness.  A  wall 
pocket  hung  on  the  door  will  be  found  a  convenient 
dropping  place  for  twine,  scissors,  and  papers. 


120  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

INSECTS  AND  THEIR   EXTERMINATION 

It  is  not  just  pleasant  to  associate  cockroaches 
and  ants  with  our  kitchens  and  pantries,  but  where 
heat  and  moisture  and  food  are,  there  insects  will 
be  also,  for  they  seem  to  enjoy  a  taste  of  high  life 
and  to  thrive  on  it.  Keep  the  house  clean,  dry,  and 
well  aired,  and  all  dish  and  cleaning  cloths  sweet 
and  fresh  by  washing  and  drying  immediately  after 
use,  with  a  weekly  boiling  in  borax  water ;  dispose 
carefully  of  all  food,  and  then  wage  a  war  of  ex- 
termination. This  is  all  that  will  avail  in  an  insect- 
infested  house.  Hunt  out,  if  possible,  the  nests 
or  breeding  places  of  ants  and  saturate  with  boiling 
water  or  with  kerosene.  Wash  all  woodwork, 
shelves,  and  drawers  with  carbolic-acid  water  and 
inject  it  into  any  crack  or  opening  where  the  pests 
appear.  It  has  been  suggested  that  ants  can  be 
kept  out  of  drawers  and  closets  by  a  "  dead  line  " 
drawn  with  a  brush  dipped  in  corrosive  sublimate 
one  ounce,  muriate  of  ammonia  two  ounces,  and 
water  one  pint,  while  a  powder  of  tartar  emetic, 
dissolved  in  a  saucer  of  water,  seems  to  be  effective 
in  driving  them  away.  Sponges  wet  with  sweet- 
ened water  attract  them  in  large  numbers,  and 
when  full  should  be  plunged  in  boiling  water. 


THE    KITCHEN 

Another  successful  "  trap  "  is  a  plate  thinly  spread 
with  lard,  this  also  to  be  dropped  into  boiling  water 
when  filled.  In  order  to  protect  the  table  from  an 
invasion  stand  the  legs  in  dishes  of  tar  water  to  a 
depth  of  four  inches.  Ants  have  a  decided  distaste 
for  the  odors  of  pennyroyal  and  oil  of  cedar,  a  few 
drops  of  either  on  bits  of  cotton  frequently  sufficing 
to  drive  them  away  entirely.  As  for  cockroaches, 
there  appear  to  be  almost  as  many  "extermina- 
tors "  as  there  are  housewives ;  but  what  is  their 
poison  in  one  home  seems  to  make  them  wax  and 
grow  fat  in  another.  Borax  and  powdered  sugar, 
scattered  thickly  over  shelves  and  around  base- 
boards and  sink,  is  a  favorite  remedy  with  many, 
but  it  is  an  unsightly  mess,  particularly  in  summer, 
when  the  sugar  melts  and  becomes  sticky.  After 
all,  experience  has  demonstrated  that  the  one  really 
effectual  method  of  extermination  is  to  besiege  the 
roaches  in  their  own  bailiwick — the  pipes  and 
woodwork  about  the  sink — with  a  large  bellows 
filled  with  a  good,  reliable  insect  powder.  Exit 
roaches ! 

THE    REFRIGERATOR   AND   ITS  CARE 

The  refrigerator  may  or  may  not  stand  in  the 
pantry,  according  to  convenience,  or  as  there  is 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

sewer  connection  for  it.  Some  authorities  main- 
tain that  there  is  grave  danger  from  sewer  gas 
where  the  refrigerator  is  connected  directly  with 
the  sewer,  and  that,  therefore,  the  only  safe  way 
to  dispose  of  the  waste  water  is  to  catch  it  in  a  pan 
placed  beneath  the  refrigerator,  unless  the  house 
is  so  built  that  the  waste  pipe  can  be  continued 
down  into  the  cellar  and  there  empty  its  contents 
into  a  sink.  A  good,  zinc-lined  refrigerator,  inter- 
lined with  charcoal,  with  a  hundred-pound  capacity, 
a  removable  ice  pan,  which  facilitates  cleaning,  and 
three  shelves,  is  to  be  had  for  $16.50.  In  selecting 
a  refrigerator  it  is  well  to  choose  one  of  medium 
size,  as  a  larger  one  entails  waste  of  ice,  while  a 
smaller  necessitates  the  placing  near  together  of 
foods  which  should  be  kept  apart,  as  butter  and 
milk  with  fish,  fruit,  etc.  If  one  cares  to  invest  in 
the  higher-priced  refrigerators,  of  course  those 
lined  with  tile,  porcelain,  or  enamel  are  very  de- 
sirable, as  they  are  easily  kept  clean  and  do  not 
absorb  odors.  But  for  the  average  income  and  use, 
a  first-class  zinc-lined  refrigerator  answers  every 
purpose.  It  should  be  thoroughly  cleansed,  on  the 
mornings  when  the  ice  is  to  be  renewed,  with  hot 
sal  soda  water  followed  by  a  cold  bath  and  a  thor- 
ough drying.  The  drain  pipe  must  not  be  over- 


THE    KITCHEN 

looked,  but  given  the  same  sal  soda  treatment, 
otherwise  it  becomes  coated  and  a  fruitful  source  of 
germs.  If,  after  this  has  been  done,  a  musty  odor 
still  clings  about  the  refrigerator,  remove  the 
shelves  and  boil  in  the  clothes  boiler  for  twenty 
minutes.  Pieces  of  charcoal  placed  in  the  corners 
of  the  refrigerator  and  frequently  renewed  will 
absorb  much  of  the  odor.  Never  place  warm  food 
in  the  refrigerator,  nor  food  of  any  kind  on  the 
shelves,  unless  it  is  first  placed  on  a  plate  or  platter. 
It  is  economy  to  keep  the  ice  chamber  well  filled, 
and  all  ice  should  be  well  washed  before  being 
placed  therein.  Some  housekeepers  cover  the  ice 
with  newspapers  or  carpet.  This  no  doubt  helps  to 
preserve  it,  but  it  also  keeps  the  cold  from  the  food 
chambers.  No  food  and  nothing  containing  it 
should  ever  be  placed  directly  on  the  ice. 

FURNISHING  THE   KITCHEN 

And  now,  having  cleaned  and  decorated  our 
kitchen  and  pantry,  and  provided  for  the  refrigera- 
tion and  partial  disposal  of  our  food,  suppose  we 
turn  our  attention  to  the  fascinating  task  of  select- 
ing the  different  parts  of  the  machinery  which 
turns  out  that  finished  masterpiece — a  perfect  meal 
— bearing  in  mind  in  the  meantime  that  the  saying, 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

"  Art  is  the  expression  of  joy  in  one's  work,"  ap- 
plies to  nothing  more  truly  than  to  the  art  of  cook- 
ery, and  that  no  tools  necessary  to  its  perfect  suc- 
cess nor  to  her  comfort  and  convenience  should  be 
denied  that  master  artist,  the  cook,  be  she  mistress 
or  maid. 

THE   STOVE 

Of  paramount  importance  is,  of  course,  the 
stove,  and  what  kind  it  shall  be,  whether  gas,  coal, 
or  oil.  Those  of  us  who  have  grown  accustomed 
to  the  immunity  from  those  inevitable  accompani- 
ments of  a  coal  range,  ashes,  soot,  dust,  and  heat, 
afforded  by  the  gas  range,  with  its  easily  regulated 
broiler  and  oven,  could  hardly  be  persuaded  to  go 
back  to  first  principles,  as  it  were,  and  the  coal 
range.  But  when  this  is  necessary,  either  for 
warmth  or  because  there  is  no  gas  connection  in  the 
house,  one  has  a  wide  choice  of  first-class  stoves 
and  can  hardly  go  astray  in  selecting  one.  Twenty- 
one  dollars  will  buy  a  good,  durable  stove  with  all 
modern  improvements  and  a  large  oven.  A  stove 
with  the  same  capacity  but  manufactured  under  a 
world-famous  name  sells  for  $32,  while  between 
the  two  in  price  is  one  at  $28.  Two  firms  manu- 
facture, in  connection  with  their  regular  line  of 


THE    KITCHEN  125 

ranges,  a  three-plate  gas  stove  which  can  be  at- 
tached directly  to  the  range,  and  sells  for  $6.  A 
portable  steel  oven,  covering  two  burners,  for  use 
on  gas  and  oil  stoves  alike,  adds  to  the  convenience 
of  the  gas  plate,  and  sells  for  $2.  If  a  gas  range 
is  desired,  an  excellent  one  with  a  large  oven, 
broiler,  and  all  conveniences  may  be  purchased 
for  $18,  one  with  a  smaller  oven  for  $15.  It 
might  be  well  to  suggest  in  passing  that  a  small 
oven  is  poor  economy.  Water  backs,  for  both  gas 
and  coal  ranges,  are  $3.50  each.  Where  gas  is  un- 
obtainable a  three-burner  wickless  oil-stove  plate 
will  be  found  to  give  very  good  satisfaction,  and 
can  be  placed  on  the  coal  range  or  on  a  table  or 
box.  The  range  of  the  same  capacity  is  $1  more, 
with  an  increase  in  price  corresponding  with  the 
number  of  burners,  until  we  have  the  five-burner 
stove  at  $11.  To  do  away  with  the  odor  which  is 
apt  to  result  from  the  use  of  oil  as  fuel,  remove 
the  burners,  boil  in  sal  soda  water,  dry  thoroughly, 
and  return  to  the  stove.  In  setting  up  a  stove  look 
carefully  to  it  that  the  height  is  right,  otherwise 
the  cook's  back  is  sure  to  suffer.  If  too  low,  blocks 
can  be  placed  under  the  legs  to  raise  it  to  a  com- 
fortable height.  A  whisk  broom  hung  near  the 
stove  is  useful  in  removing  crumbs,  dust,  etc.,  and 


126  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

keeping  it  tidy.  A  rack  behind  the  stove,  on  which 
to  hang  the  spoons  and  forks  used  in  cooking,  is 
a  great  convenience  and  a  saving  to  the  table  top. 

THE  TABLE  AND   ITS  CARE 

The  table  should  stand  on  casters  and  be  placed 
in  a  good  light  as  far  from  the  stove  as  may  be. 
The  latest  product  of  the  manufacturer's  genius 
in  this  line  contains  two  drawers — one  spaced  off 
into  compartments  for  the  different  knives,  forks, 
and  spoons  for  kitchen  use — a  molding  board,  and 
three  zinc-lined  bins,  one  large  one  for  wheat  flour, 
and  two  smaller  one  for  graham  flour,  corn  meal, 
etc.  When  one  considers  the  economy  of  steps  be- 
tween kitchen  and  pantry  which  it  makes  possible, 
its  price,  $6.75,  is  not  large,  while  it  obviates  the 
necessity  for  purchasing  bins  and  molding  board. 
Our  friend,  the  white  table  oilcloth,  tacked  smoothly 
in  place,  gives  a  dainty  top  which  is  easily  kept 
clean  with  a  damp  cloth — another  labor-saving  de- 
vice, which  stands  between  cook  and  scrubbing 
brush.  A  zinc  table  cover  is  preferred  by  some 
housewives,  as  it  absorbs  no  grease  and  is  readily 
brightened  with  scouring  soap  and  hot  water. 
Separate  zinc-covered  table  tcps  can  be  had  for 
$1.50.  The  marble-topped  table  is  not  desirable, 


THE    KITCHEN  127 

for,  though  it  undoubtedly  is  an  aid  to  the  making 
of  good  pastry,  it  stains  easily,  dissolves  in  some 
acids,  and  clogs  with  oils.  The  easiest  way  to  keep 
the  table  clean  and  neat  is  simply  to — keep  it  so. 
When  the  mixing  of  cake,  pudding,  etc.,  is  in 
process,  a  large  bowl  should  be  near  at  hand,  and 
into  it  should  go  egg  beater,  spoons,  and  forks 
when  the  cook  is  through  using  them,  after  which 
they,  with  all  other  soiled  utensils,  should  be  car- 
ried to  the  sink,  washed,  dried,  and  put  away. 
Never  lay  eggshells  upon  the  table  nor  allow  any- 
thing to  dry  on  the  utensils.  If,  as  occasionally 
happens  even  in  the  best-regulated  kitchens,  one 
is  baking  in  too  great  a  hurry  to  observe  all  these 
precautions,  a  heavy  paper  spread  on  the  table 
will  catch  all  the  droppings  and  can  be  rolled  up 
and  burned.  Jars  containing  sugar,  spices,  etc., 
which  have  been  in  use,  should  be  wiped  with  a 
damp  cloth  before  returning  to  the  pantry. 

THE  CHAIRS 

The  first  aid  to  the  cook  should  be  at  least  one 
comfortable  chair,  neither  a  rocking  chair  nor  one 
upholstered,  both  of  which  are  out  of  place  in  the 
kitchen ;  but  one  low  enough  to  rest  in  easily  while 
shelling  peas  or  doing  some  of  the  numerous  tasks 


128  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

which  do  not  require  the  use  of  the  table.  A  chair 
of  this  kind  has  a  cane  seat  and  high  back  and  can 
be  purchased  for  $1.25,  the  other  chair  to  be  of 
the  regulation  kitchen  style  at  55  cents.  The  second 
aid  is  a  24-inch  office  stool  at  85  cents,  for  use  while 
washing  dishes,  preparing  vegetables,  etc.  This 
sort  of  a  stool  is  light,  easily  moved  about,  and 
means  a  great  saving  in  strength.  Though  it  has 
sometimes  been  dubbed  a  "  nuisance  "  by  the  un- 
initiated, the  woman  who  has  learned  its  value 
finds  it  a  very  present  help  and  wonders  how  she 
ever  did  without  it. 

THE   KITCHEN  CABINET 

Occasionally  it  happens  that  a  house  is  built 
with  such  slight  regard  for  pantry  room  that  we 
are  constrained  to  wonder  if,  at  the  last  minute,  the 
pantry  was  not  tucked  into  a  little  space  for  which 
there  was  absolutely  no  other  use,  and  there  left  to 
be  a  means  of  grace  to  the  thrifty  housewife,  whose 
pride  it  is  to  see  her  pots  and  pans  in  orderly 
array  and  with  plenty  of  room  to  shine  in.  At 
this  point  there  comes  to  her  rescue  the  kitchen 
cabinet,  which  not  only  relieves  the  congestion  in 
the  pantry,  but  adds  in  no  small  measure  to  the 
attractiveness  of  the  kitchen.  These  cabinets  come 


THE    KITCHEN  129 

in  the  natural  woods,  and  should,  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible, match  the  woodwork  of  the  kitchen.  Many 
have  the  satin  finish  which  renders  them  imper- 
vious to  grease,  and  all  are  fitted  out  with  molding 
boards,  shelves,  cupboards,  and  drawers  of  various 
sizes.  So  convenient  is  a  cabinet  of  this  kind,  and 
so  economical  of  steps,  that  it  might  well  be  called 
"  the  complete  housewife."  First  and  foremost,  it 
accommodates  the  kitchen  dishes,  plates,  platters, 
and  saucers,  standing  on  edge  of  course,  with  cups 
hanging  from  small  hooks,  and  pitchers,  bowls, 
etc.,  variously  arranged.  Then  come  the  jars  of 
spice,  sugar,  salt,  tea,  and  coffee — all  groceries, 
in  fact,  which  are  in  most  frequent  use.  Where 
the  decorative  design  in  both  jars  and  dishes  is 
carried  out  in  the  blue  and  white,  with  a  utensil  or 
two  of  the  same  coloring,  the  effect  is  truly  charm- 
ing, though  this  is,  of  course,  a  matter  of  individual 
taste.  The  cupboards  are  handy  hiding  places  for- 
the  less  ornamental  bottles,  brushes,  etc.,  while  the 
base,  which  is  really  nothing  more  nor  less  than 
a  very  complete  kitchen  table,  usually  has  a  shelf 
for  kettles,  stone  jars,  etc.  A  good  cabinet  can 
be  had  for  $10,  a  more  commodious  one  for  $16, 
and  so  on.  The  cabinets  without  bases  range  from 
a  tiny  one,  just  large  enough  to  hold  six  spice  jars, 


130  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

at  $1,  to  one,  with  five  drawers,  shelves,  and 
cupboards  with  glass  doors,  for  $6.  Any  price 
beyond  this  simply  means  elaboration  of  design 
without  additional  increase  of  capacity  or  con- 
venience. 

KITCHEN    UTENSILS 

In  selecting  dishes  and  cooking  utensils  it  is 
well  to  remember  that  cheapness  does  not  always 
spell  economy,  and  that  one  buys  not  alone  for  the 
present,  but  for  the  future  as  well.  Utensils  which 
require  scouring  are  not  economical,  either,  for 
scouring  is  friction,  and  "  friction  means  loss  of 
energy."  Scouring  has  gone  out  with  the  heavy 
ironware  which  required  it,  in  whose  stead  we 
have  the  pretty  porcelain  enamel  ware  and  the 
less  expensive  agate  ware,  both  of  which  need  only 
a  thorough  washing  in  hot,  soapy  water,  rinsing  in 
boiling  water,  and  careful  drying.  Ware  of  this 
kind  helps  to  produce  the  kitchen  restful,  and 
so,  indirectly,  the  cook  rested.  A  well-cared-for 
kitchen  is  always  more  or  less  attractive,  but  why 
not  make  it  rather  more  so  than  less  I  Taste  and 
harmony  add  nothing  to  the  expense  of  furnish- 
ing, and  there  is  a  certain  dignity  and  inspiration, 
as  well  as  satisfaction,  in  being  able  to  "  bring 


THE    KITCHEN  131 

forth  butter  in  a  lordly  dish."  Kitchen  crockery 
is  being  rapidly  supplanted  by  the  porcelain  en- 
amel dishes,  which,  though  rather  more  expensive 
in  the  beginning,  are  unbreakable,  and  so  cheaper 
in  the  long  run.  They  are  even  invading  the  do- 
main of  the  faithful  yellow  mixing  bowl  and  be- 
coming decidedly  popular  therein,  being  light  in 
weight  and  more  easily  handled.  The  complete 
equipment  of  the  kitchen  is  a  more  costly  opera- 
tion than  one  is  apt  to  imagine,  individual  items 
amounting  comparatively  to  so  little.  But  the  sum 
total  is  usually  a  rather  surprising  figure.  And 
so,  remembering  that  Eome  was  not  built  in  a  day, 
carefully  select  those  things  which  are  really  the 
essentials  of  every  day,  adding  the  useful  non- 
essentials  bit  by  bit.  The  size  and  number  of 
utensils  must  be  governed  by  the  size  of  the  family 
in  which  they  are  to  be  used.  Never  buy  anything 
of  copper  for  kitchen  use,  as  the  rust  to  which  it 
is  liable  is  a  dangerous  -poison.  There  is  one  uten- 
sil only  which  is  better  to  be  of  iron — the  soup 
kettle — as  it  makes  possible  the  slow  simmering 
which  is  necessary  for  good  soups  and  stews.  It 
is  not  worth  while  to  buy  knives  of  anything  but 
wrought  steel,  which  are  best  cleaned  with  pumice 
stone.  Cheesecloth  for  fish  bags  and  strainers,  and 


132  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

strong  cotton  for  pudding  bags  must  not  be  over- 
looked. 

And  so,  with  kitchen  complete,  artistic,  and 
satisfactory  in  every  detail,  it  remains  but  to  em- 
phasize two  facts — that  perfect  cleanliness  is  abso- 
lutely essential  to  health,  and_that_shejwhojiopketh 
well  to  the_  ways  of  her  kitchen  eateth  not  the  bread 
of  idleness. 

The  following  list  may  be  too  extensive  for  some 
purposes,  not  suited  to  others,  but  out  of  it  the 
new  housekeeper  can  select  what  she  thinks  her 
establishment  will  need,  and  estimate  the  price  of 
stocking  her  kitchen  with  those  necessaries  which 
make  for  good  housekeeping: 

1  dozen  individual  jelly  molds $0. 60 

1  griddle 35 

1  small  funnel 03 

1  large  funnel 06 

1  gas  toaster 55 

1  coal  toaster 08 

1  gas  broiler 65 

1  coal  broiler 32 

1  six-quart  iron  soup  kettle 1 . 50 

1  skimmer 14 

1  small  ladle 09 

1  porcelain  enamel  dipper 40 

1  porcelain  enamel  sink  strainer 40 

1  towel  rack 10 

1  clock..  .   1.00 


THE    KITCHEN  133 

1  puree  sieve,  with  pestle 18 

2  galvanized  iron  refrigerator  pans 50 

1  dozen  dish  towels 1 . 20 

6  dishcloths 30 

1  set  of  scales 95 

1  vegetable  slicer 25 

2  butter  paddles 12 

1  can  opener. .' 08 

1  potato  ricer 25 

1  apple  corer 05 

1  chopping  bowl 15 

1  tea  kettle 1 .05 

1  ice  pick 12 

1  pair  scissors 23 

1  scrub  brush 20 

1  sink  brush 08 

1  mop  handle 38 

1  oil  can 35 

1  whisk  broom 15 

1  small  porcelain  enamel  pitcher 26 

1  two-quart  porcelain  enamel  pitcher 55 

1  cake  turner 08 

1  porcelain  enamel  wash  basin 28  * 

1  potato  scoop 18 

1  towel  roller 10 

1  rolling-pin 15 

1  four-quart  porcelain  enamel  saucepan,  with 

cover 57 

1  eight-quart  porcelain  enamel  bread  bowl. . .      .72 

1  gravy  strainer 18 

1  nutmeg  grater 09 

1  spatula 25 

1  egg  beater 10 

10 


134  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

1  dish  mop 05 

2  iron  baking  pans 20 

1  collander 35 

1  ten-inch  porcelain  enamel  bowl 35 

2  eight-inch  porcelain  enamel  bowls 48 

3  five-inch  porcelain  enamel  bowls 33 

1  fryer  and  basket 1 . 50 

4  bread  pans 60 

1  two-quart  double  boiler 95 

2  dish  pans  (agate) 1 . 10 

1  omelet  pan 10 

1  porcelain  enamel  teapot .65 

1  porcelain  enamel  coffeepot 85 

6  porcelain  enamel  plates 78 

1  porcelain  enamel  platter 40 

1  porcelain  enamel  platter  (small) 35 

6  porcelain  enamel  cups  and  saucers 1 . 14 

Dredging  boxes  for  salt,  pepper,  and  flour ...      .  35  ' 

3  pie  tins 12 

1  galvanized  iron  garbage  can,  with  cover ...      .50 

1  large  dripping  pan 17 

1  small  dripping  pan 15 

1  lemon  squeezer 05 

1  molding  board 40 

4  layer-cake  tins 16 

2  porcelain  sugar  jars 50 

6  porcelain  spice  jars 60 

1  half-pint  tin  cup 05 

1  six-quart  milk  pan 23 

1  four-quart  milk  pan 17 

3  wrought-steel  knives 48 

3  wrought-steel  forks 48 

1  egg  spoon 08 


THE    KITCHEN  135 

j** 

1  dozen  muffin  rings 46 

1  biscuit  pan 25 

1  round  fluted  cake  tin 12 

2  basting  spoons 24 

6  kitchen  knives 50 

6  kitchen  forks 50 

6  kitchen  teaspoons 48 

3  kitchen  tablespoons 15 

3  asbestos  mats 15 

1  chopping  knife 20 

1  wire  dishcloth 12 

1  flour  scoop 19 

1  sugar  scoop 10 

1  meat  grinder 1 . 50 

1  soap  shaker 10 

1  flour  sifter 25 

1  coffee  mill 50 

2  measuring  cups 15 

1  meat  fork 09 

1  larding  needle 10 

2  brooms 60 

1  long-handled  hair  broom 1 .45 

1  dustpan 12 

1  scouring  box 50 

1  draining  rack 10 

1  bread  knife 25 

1  cake  knife 20 

1  meat  knife 55 

1  peeling  knife 10 

1  bread  box 70 

1  cake  box 70 

1  three-quart  porcelain  enamel  saucepan 36 

1  oblong  loaf -cake  tin 15 


136  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

1  jelly  mold 30 

1  wooden  spoon 05 

1  salt  box .25 

1  pepper  box 10 

1  graduated  quart  measure 16 

3  small  vegetable  brushes 15 

1  dozen  glass  fruit  jars 60 

2  two-quart  porcelain  enamel  saucepans  ....   1 . 00 
1  grater 18 

1  paper  scrub  pail 25 

2  two-quart  agate  pans 36 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE   LAUNDRY 

WHAT  visions  of  dampness  and  disorder, 
of  air  malodorous  with  steam  and  soap, . 
of  meals  delayed  and  hurriedly  pre- 
pared, of  tempers  ruffled  and  the  domestic  ma- 
chinery all  disarranged  and  the  discomforts  of 
home  prominently  in  the  foreground,  are  called 
forth  hy  that  magic  word — washday!  And  yet, 
maligned  though  it  be,  it  really  is  the  day  of  all  the 
week  the  best;  for  does  it  not  minister  more  than 
any  one  other  to  our  comfort  and  self-respect  and 
general  well-being  ?  It  may  be  "  blue  Monday  "  or 
blue  Tuesday  or  blue  any-other-day,  but  we  very 
soon  come  out  of  the  azure  when  it  is  achieved  and 
we  find  ourselves  entering  upon  another  week's  en- 
joyment of  that  virtue  which  is  akin  to  godliness. 
In  the  brief  interim  of  upheaval  we  may  possibly 
wish  we  could  hark  back  to  the  days  of  the  "  forty- 
niner,"  who  solved  his  individual  problem  of  per- 

137 


138  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

sonal  cleanliness  by  simply  dropping  his  soiled 
clothing  into  a  boiling  spring,  where  it  was  turned 
and  churned  and  twisted  and  finally  flung  out,  a 
clean  and  purified  testimonial  to  Mother  Nature's 
ability  as  a  laundress.  Or  perhaps  the  pretty  pas- 
toral of  the  peasant  girl  knee  deep  in  the  brook, 
rubbing  her  household  linen  on  the  stones,  hath 
even  greater  charms.  But  the  trouble  is  that  we 
are  neither  "  forty-niners  "  nor  peasants,  but  just 
plain,  latter-day  housekeepers  with  a  laundry  prob- 
lem to  face,  and  finding  that  it,  like  most  other 
problems,  is  best  solved  by  attacking  it  boldly,  sys- 
tematically, and  according  to  certain  fixed  rules. 

LAUNDRY   REQUISITES 

The  home  laundry  must  be  well  ventilated  and 
lighted,  and  in  the  basement  if  possible,  for  ob- 
vi6us  reasons,  the  chief  being  the  relief  thus 
afforded  to  the  otherwise  congested  kitchen  and 
overburdened  kitchen  stove,  while  at  the  same  time 
one  other  menace  to  health — the  steam  generated 
by  the  washing  and  drying — is  removed  from  the 
main  part  of  the  house.  It  is  highly  essential  that 
the  laundry  be  properly  and  completely  equipped 
for  the  work  of  washing,  boiling,  drying,  and  iron- 
ing. Stationary  tubs  are  much  to  be  desired,  those 


THE    LAUNDRY  139 

orcelain-lined  being  more  sanitary  than  either 
soapstone,  which  has  a  tendency  to  absorb  grease, 
or  wood,  which  absorbs  the  uncleanness  from  the 
soiled  linen.  It  is  especially  necessary  that  the 
tubs  be  as  impervious  as  possible  when  the  linen 
is  soaked  overnight.  If  tubs  are  to  be  bought,  the 
paper  ones  have  a  decided  advantage  over  the 
more  well-known  cedar  ones  in  being  much  lighter 
and  consequently  more  easily  handled,  with  only 
a  slight  difference  in  price.  It  seems  so  well  worth 
while  to  minimize  the  strain  of  heavy  lifting  when 
and  wherever  one  can,  since  washing  at  best  in- 
volves much  hard  work  and  fatigue. 

THE   STOVE  AND   FURNISHINGS 

The  stove  for  laundry  use  may  be  either  gas, 
oil,  or  coal,  the  latter  being  considered  the  most 
economical  of  fuel,  while  it  often  comes  in  very 
handy  in  the  preparation  of  foods  which  require 
long  stewing  or  simmering.  The  wringer  should 
be  of  medium  size,  either  wooden  or  iron-framed, 
the  former  having  the  advantage  of  lightness,  the 
latter  of  strength.  The  screws  must  be  loosened 
after  each  washing  and  thoroughly  dried.  Any 
particles  of  rust  can  be  removed  with  kerosene. 
The  following  list  gives  a  very  fair  idea  of  the 


140  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

essentials  of  the  well-furnished  laundry,  and  their 
cost: 

2  paper  tubs $2.40 

1  wringer 3 . 75 

1  block-tin  boiler  with  copper  bottom 2 . 15 

1  washboard 25 

1  paper  pail 25 

1  long-handled  starch  spoon 08 

1  long-handled  dipper 12 

1  set  clothes  bars 95 

1  wash  bench 75 

1  fifty-foot  hemp  line 20 

1  ironing  board,  or  ) 95 

1  skirt-board  J    50 

3  Mrs.  Potts'  nickel-plated  irons 2.85 

1  sleeve  and  ruffle  iron 35 

1  iron  rest 08 

1  clothes  stick 10 

1  clothes  basket 80 

5  dozen  clothespins 10 

2  pieces  beeswax. .- 05 

IRONS  AND   HOLDERS 

If  the  ordinary  flatirons  are  preferred,  they 
may  be  had  at  5  cents  a  pound.  They  require,  of 
course,  the  use  of  a  good,  stout  holder,  asbestos 
covered  with  ticking  affording  the  best  protection 
to  the  hand.  Slip  cases  are  nice  for  use  of  this 
kind,  as  they  can  be  taken  off  and  washed.  Pad 


THE    LAUNDRY  141 

the  ironing  board  with  Canton  flannel  or  a  coarse 
blanket,  then  draw  tightly  over  it  a  white  cotton 
cloth  and  fasten  on  the  under  side.  The  padding 
must  be  absolutely  smooth  and  without  a  wrinkle. 
And  there  must  be  a  piece  of  cheesecloth  with 
which  to  wipe  possible  dust  from  the  line,  a  scrub- 
bing brush  for  the  cleaning-up  process  which  closes 
the  washing  drama,  and  the  various  preparations 
used  to  remove  stains  and  assist  in  the  cleansing 
of  the  linen  and  clothing — borax,  starch,  bluing, 
ammonia,  oxalic  acid,  soda,  kerosene,  turpentine, 
etc. 

PREPARING  THE   "WASH" 

With  all  the  "  properties "  in  readiness,  the 
fire  burning  well,  and  plenty  of  hot  water  to  draw 
upon,  the  curtain  rises  on  the  laundress  sorting 
the  flannels,  table  linen,  fine  underwear,  towels, 
and  bed  linen,  colored  clothes  and  stockings  into 
separate  piles,  each  to  be  disposed  of  in  its  turn, 
from  fine  articles  down  through  to  coarse,  laying 
aside  any  which  have  stains.  These  stains  she 
removes  in  a  variety  of  ways,  according  to  their 
nature,  but  removed  they  must  be  before  going 
into  the  tub,  where,  in  most  instances,  the  hot  suds 
will  render  them  ineradicable,  although  it  has  the 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

reverse  effect  on  dirt.  It  is  a  wise  plan  to  mark, 
with  a  black  thread  before  putting  in  the  wash,  any 
stains  which  are  apt  to  be  overlooked  by  the  laun- 
dress, and  those  on  large  pieces,  such  as  bedspreads. 

REMOVING   STAINS 

The  removal  of  stains  from  white  goods  is  com- 
paratively easy.  Fruit  and  wine  stains  are  re- 
moved by  stretching  the  fabric  over  a  bowl  and 
pouring  boiling  water  through  the  stain,  repeat- 
ing until  it  disappears.  Boiling  milk  is  sometimes 
applied  successfully  to  wine  stains  in  the  same  way. 
A  thick  layer  of  salt  rubbed  into  the  stained  por- 
tion and  followed  with  the  boiling-water  treatment 
is  also  effective.  Obstinate  fruit  stains  yield  to  a 
thorough  moistening  with  lemon,  a  good  rubbing 
with  salt  (a  combination  which  is  to  be  found  all 
prepared  at  the  drug  store  under  the  name  of 
Salts  of  Lemon),  and  the  application  of  boiling 
water.  "When  nothing  else  avails,  immerse  the 
stained  portion  in  a  weak  solution  of  Javelle  water 
—one  half  cup  to  one  pail  of  boiling  water — allow 
it  to  soak  a  few  minutes,  and  then  rinse  thoroughly. 
Javelle  water  can  be  procured  of  the  druggist,  but 
is  as  well  prepared  at  home  by  dissolving  four 
pounds  of  ordinary  washing  soda  in  one  gallon  of 


THE    LAUNDRY  143 

water,  boiling  ten  minutes,  and  then  adding  to  it 
one  pound  of  chloride  of  lime.  It  should  be  kept 
well  corked,  and  resorted  to  in  extreme  cases  alone, 
as  it  is  violent  in  its  action  on  the  clothes.  For 
this  reason  special  care  must  be  given  to  rinsing 
after  its  use. 

Tea  and  coffee  stains  usually  surrender  to 
boiling  water,  but  if  they  prove  obdurate  rub  in  a 
little  powdered  borax  and  pour  on  more  boiling 
water.  Chocolate  stains  can  be  removed  in  the 
same  way.  Sprinkling  the  stain  with  borax  and 
soaking  first  in  cold  water  facilitates  the  action  of 
the  boiling  water. 

Rub  iron  rust  with  lemon  and  salt,  and  lay 
in  the  sun,  repeating  until  the  spot  disappears. 
This  is  usually  all  that  is  necessary,  but  if  the  stain 
is  very  stubborn,  spread  over  a  bowl  containing 
one  quart  of  water  and  one  teaspoonful  of  borax. 
Apply  hydrochloric  acid,  drop  by  drop,  to  the  stain 
until  it  brightens,  then  dip  at  once  into  the  water. 

If  an  ink  stain  is  fresh,  soak  in  milk,  renewing 
the  milk  when  it  becomes  discolored.  If  very  dry 
and  well  set  use  lemon  and  salt  or  the  Javelle- 
water  treatment. 

Mildew,  which  results  from  allowing  damp 
clothes  to  lie  in  the  basket  for  a  length  of  time, 


144  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

is  obstinate  and  difficult  to  remove.  Boil  in  salted 
buttermilk;  or  wet  with  lemon  juice  and  stand  in 
the  sun.  If  these  treatments  are  ineffectual,  resort 
to  diluted  oxalic  acid  or  Javelle  water,  a  careful 
rinsing  to  follow  the  application.  Grass  stains 
may  be  treated  in  a  like  manner,  or  washed  in 
alcohol.  Ammonia  and  water,  applied  while  the 
stain  is  fresh,  will  often  remove  it. 

Eemove  paint  stains  with  benzene  or  turpen- 
tine, machine  oil  with  cold  water  and  Ivory  soap, 
vaseline  with  turpentine. 

Peroxide  of  hydrogen  applied  to  blood  stains 
while  they  are  still  moist  causes  them  to  disappear 
at  once.  Soaking  in  cold  water  till  the  stains  turn 
brown,  then  washing  in  warm  water  with  soap  is 
the  usual  treatment.  If  the  stain  is  on  thick  goods, 
make  a  paste  of  raw  starch  and  apply  several 
times. 

Pencil  marks  on  linen  should  be  rubbed  off  with 
an  eraser,  as  hot  water  sets  them. 

Soap  and  water  is  the  best  agent  for  removing 
stains  from  colored  goods,  provided  the  color  is 
fast.  Moisten  the  article,  soap  the  stain,  and  after 
a  few  minutes  wash  alternately  with  oil  of  tur- 
pentine and  water.  If  not  satisfactorily  removed 
make  a  mixture  of  yolk  of  egg  and  oil  of  turpen- 


THE    LAUNDRY  145 

tine,  spread  on  the  stain,  allow  to  dry,  scrape  off, 
and  wash  thoroughly  in  hot  water.  Tampering 
with  stains  on  garments  which  are  not  warranted 
"  fast  color  "  is  very  risky,  and  often  leaves  the 
second  state  of  the  garments  worse  than  the  first. 

SOAKING  AND   WASHING 

The  prologue  of  sorting  the  clothes  and  remov- 
ing the  stains  being  at  an  end,  we  are  ready  for 
the  real  "  business  "  of  the  wash  day — the  wash- 
ing itself — unless  the  laundress  prefers  to  soak  the 
clothes  overnight.  If  so,  dampen,  soap  well,  par- 
ticularly the  most  soiled  spots,  roll  up  and  pack 
in  the  bottom  of  the  tub,  pour  over  tepid  water,  and 
leave  till  morning.  Only  the  bed  and  body  linen 
need  be  subjected  to  this  treatment,  as  the  table 
linen  is  rarely  sufficiently  soiled  to  require  it,  and 
the  colored  clothes  and  the  stockings  must  never, 
under  any  circumstances,  be  allowed  to  stay  in 
water  beyond  the  time  necessary  to  wash  and  rinse 
them.  The  water,  if  only  hard  water  be  obtain- 
able, may  be  softened  by  the  addition  of  a  little 
ammonia  or  borax.  Water  which  has  been  dis- 
colored by  soil  after  heavy  rains  or  by  the  repair- 
ing of  water  pipes,  should  be  strained  through 
Canton  flannel  before  use.  After  soaking,  the  linen 


146  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

should  be  put  through  the  wringer,  which  will  take 
away  much  of  the  soil  with  the  water,  and  then 
washed.  As  to  the  way  in  which  this  should  be 
done  there  are  various  opinions,  most  methods 
in  use  by  experienced  laundresses  being  reliable. 
Each,  however,  usually  has  her  favorite  method 
of  procedure  which  it  is  perhaps  as  well  to  allow 
her  to  follow.  Pity  'tis,  'tis  true,  that  many  house- 
keepers are  so  ignorant  of  how  the  wash-day  pro- 
gramme should  really  be  conducted  that  they  are 
incapable  of  directing  the  incompetent  laundress. 
The  mistress  of  the  house  needs  also  to  be  mistress 
of  the  laundry,  guiding  operations  there  as  else- 
where, seeing  to  it  that  body  and  table  linens  are 
not  washed  together,  flannels  boiled,  clothing  rotted 
by  overindulgence  in  sal  soda,  nor  any  other  crimes 
committed  against  law  and  order  in  the  laundry. 

WASHING  POWDERS   AND   SOAP 

If  bleaches  of  any  kind  are  to  be  used — washing 
powders,  sal  soda,  borax,  and  the  like — it  must  be 
in  either  the  soaking  water  or  the  boiler,  and  very 
sparingly.  Indeed,  the  use  of  bleaches  at  any  time 
is  a  custom  more  honored  in  the  breach  than  the 
observance.  Though  there  is  no  hard-and-fast 
rule  as  to  the  order  of  precedence,  it  is  well  to 


THE    LAUNDRY  147 

wash  the  woolens  first,  after  shaking  them  free 
from  lint  and  dust.  Prepare  two  tubs  of  lukewarm 
suds,  the  second  very  light,  adding  a  little  borax 
dissolved  in  boiling  water  to  each.  Never  apply 
soap  directly  to  the  flannel,  nor  rub  on  a  board, 
which  mats  the  wool,  but  rub  with  the  hands, 
squeezing  and  dipping  up  and  down  in  the  first 
water  till  clean,  rinse  in  the  second  water,  which 
should  be  of  about  the  same  temperature  as  the 
first,  put  through  the  wringer,  shake  well,  pull  into 
shape,  and  hang  in  the  shade  to  dry. 

WASHING  WOOLENS 

Woolens  must  never  hang  in  the  sun  nor  near 
the  fire,  as  the  too-quick  drying  causes  them  to 
shrink  and  harden.  When  nearly  dry,  press  on  the 
wrong  side  with  a  moderately  hot  iron.  The  rins- 
ing water  may  be  used  for  the  first  cotton  wash. 
If  both  colored  and  white  flannels  are  to  be  washed, 
the  former  should  be  done  first,  thus  avoiding  the 
lint  washed  from  the  latter.  Drying  can  be  accel- 
erated by  pressing  repeatedly  between  soft  cloths. 
If  the  ordinary  washing  fails  to  remove  any  of  the 
spots,  spread  on  a  smooth  board  and  rub  with  a 
soft,  wet,  soapy  brush. 


148  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

WASHING  THE   WHITE  CLOTHES 

Next  comes  the  washing  of  the  table  linen,  then 
the  body  linen,  and  then  the  bed  linen,  the  process 
for  each  being  the  same,  though  the  table  linen  re- 
quires the  least  rubbing.  Wash  in  hot  water  in 
which  the  hand  can  be  comfortably  borne,  soaping 
each  piece  well  before  it  is  rubbed,  and  paying  par- 
ticular attention  to  the  hems  of  the  sheets;  drop 
into  a  second  tub  of  clear,  hot  water,  rinse,  and 
wring  into  a  boiler  about  half  filled  with  cold  water 
to  which  has  been  added  one  tablespoon  of  kero- 
sene and  sufficient  soap  chips  to  produce  a  good 
suds.  Bring  the  water  to  a  boil  and  boil  ten  min- 
utes, stirring  occasionally  with  the  clothes  stick. 
Too  long  boiling  yellows  the  clothes,  and  crowding 
the  boiler  is  to  be  avoided.  From  the  boiler  the 
clothes  are  lifted  to  a  tub  of  clear,  cold  water,  thor- 
oughly rinsed,  transferred  to  the  tub  of  bluing 
water  where  they  are  well  and  evenly  saturated, 
wrung  out,  and  those  which  are  not  to  be  starched 
hung  on  the  line  where  sun  and  breeze  are  most 
active.  The  bluing  must  be  thoroughly  mixed  with 
the  water.  Clothes  which  have  been  carefully 
washed  and  rinsed  need  but  little  bluing.  Hang 
sheets  and  tablecloths  out  straight  and  stretch  the 


THE    LAUNDRY  149 

selvages  even.    Pillowcases  should  be  hung  by  the 
seam  opposite  the  hem. 

STARCH 

Prepare  the  starch  by  dissolving  one  half  cup  of 
starch  in  cold  water,  pour  on  this  one  quart  of  boil- 
ing water,  and  boil  till  clear  and  white,  stirring 
constantly.  When  nearly  ready  to  take  from  the 
stove  add  a  little  borax,  lard,  butter,  or  white  wax. 
A  teaspoonful  of  granulated  sugar  is  believed  by 
many  to  be  the  most  desirable  addition.  This  will 
be  of  the  right  consistency  for  ordinary  articles — 
skirts,  aprons,  etc.  The  same  degree  of  strength 
in  starch  will  not  suit  all  kinds  of  fabrics,  collars, 
cuffs,  etc.,  requiring  the  stronger  solution  made 
by  doubling  the  amount  of  starch;  thin  lawns  and 
other  fine  materials  the  weaker  produced  by  doub- 
ling the  amount  of  water.  Dip  each  article  in  the 
hot  starch,  those  requiring  the  most  stiffening 
being  dipped  first,  because  it  is  necessary  to  thin 
the  starch.  See  that  the  starch  is  evenly  distrib- 
uted, press  out  as  much  as  possible  with  the  hands, 
put  through  the  wringer,  shake  out  all  creases,  and 
pin  evenly  on  the  line.  Additional  stiffness  is 
given  by  dipping  the  already  starched  and  dried 

article  in  raw  starch,  which  is  made  by  moistening 
11 


150  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

a  handful  of  starch  in  a  quart  of  cold  water  and 
rubbing  in  enough  Ivory  or  other  fine  white  soap 
to  produce  a  very  slight  suds.  Squeeze  out  the 
superfluous  moisture,  roll  in  a  clean  white  cloth, 
and  leave  for  half  an  hour.  Iron  while  still  damp. 
In  stiffening  pillowcases  dilute  the  starch  until  it 
is  of  the  consistency  of  milk.  Mourning  starch 
should  be  used  for  black  goods.  Never  hang 
starched  things  out  in  freezing,  damp,  or  windy 
weather. 

COLORED   CLOTHES 

Colored  articles  must  be  washed,  starched, 
dried,  and  ironed  as  speedily  as  possible.  Prepare 
warm  suds  with  Ivory  or  Castile  soap  and  add  to 
it  a  handful  of  salt  to  set  the  color.  Wash  each 
piece  through  this,  and  rinse  through  two  clear 
waters  to  which  just  enough  vinegar  to  taste  has 
been  added,  the  latter  to  brighten  the  color,  then 
stiffen  in  cool  starch  and 'hang  in  the  shade.  When 
washing  delicate  colored  fabrics  a  tablespoon  of 
ox  gall  may  be  substituted  for  the  salt. 

STOCKINGS 

Last  come  the  stockings,  which  should  be 
washed  in  clean  water,  first  on  the  right  side,  then 


THE    LAUNDRY  151 

on  the  wrong,  special  care  being  bestowed  upon  the 
feet.  Einse  in  clear  water,  with  a  final  rinsing  in 
hot  water  to  soften  the  fiber,  and  hang  on  the  line 
wrong  side  out,  toes  up.  Woolen  stockings  are 
washed  in  the  same  way  as  flannels. 

DAINTY   LAUNDERING 

The  dainty  task  of  laundering  centerpieces  and 
doilies  usually  devolves  upon  their  owner,  unless 
the  laundress  has  demonstrated  her  ability  to 
cleanse  and  iron  them  properly.  Wash  in  warm 
Ivory  or  Castile  soapsuds,  squeezing,  dipping,  and 
rubbing  between  the  hands  until  clean,  rinse  thor- 
oughly— otherwise  the  soap  will  yellow — bluing  the 
last  rinsing  water  very  slightly,  squeeze  out  (never 
wring)  as  much  moisture  as  possible,  and  hang  on 
the  line,  in  the  shade  if  out  of  doors.  While  still 
very  damp  lay  face  down  on  a  thick  flannel  pad 
covered  with  a  white  cloth,  and  iron  till  dry.  If  the 
piece  is  large  it  can  be  turned  and  ironed  lightly 
on  the  right  side  where  there  is  no  embroidery. 
Colored  embroideries  must  never  be  sprinkled  and 
rolled.  Iron  the  linen  of  large  lace-trimmed  center- 
pieces, then  lay  on  a  bed  or  other  flat  surface,  and 
stretch  the  lace  by  carefully  pinning  down  each 
point. 


152  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

The  cleansing  of  laces  is  best  accomplished  by 
basting  on  strips  of  cheesecloth,  fastening  down 
each  point,  and  soaking  for  some  time  in  warm, 
soapy  water.  Squeeze  out  and  put  into  fresh  soapy 
water,  repeating  the  process  until  the  lace  is  per- 
fectly clean,  then  rinse  in  clear  borax  water — four 
teaspoonfuls  to  one  pint.  Place  the  cheesecloth, 
lace  down,  on  a  flannel  or  other  soft  pad,  and  iron 
until  dry. 

HOW  TO  WASH  SILK 

Put  white  and  light-colored  silks  and  pongees 
through  strong,  tepid  white  soapsuds,  then  through 
a  second  weaker  suds,  rinse,  press  out  the  water 
with  the  hands,  shake  out  all  wrinkles,  spread  on 
a  clean  sheet,  and  roll  tight.  Cover  with  a  cheese- 
cloth and  iron  while  still  damp  with  a  not  too  hot 
iron.  No  portion  of  silk  should  be  allowed  to  dry 
before  ironing.  If  this  occurs  do  not  sprinkle,  but 
dampen  by  rolling  in  a  wet  cloth.  In  laundering 
pure  white  silk,  slightly  blue  the  rinsing  water. 
A  slight  firmness  can  be  imparted  to  any  silk  by 
the  addition  of  one  teaspoon  of  gum  arabic  to  each 
pint  of  the  rinsing  water.  Silk  hose  are  laundered 
just  as  other  silk,  except  that  instead  of  being  rolled 
they  must  be  dried  as  quickly  as  possible  and  ironed 
under  a  damp  cloth. 


THE    LAUNDRY  153 

WASHING  BLANKETS 

Do  not  allow  blankets  to  become  very  much 
soiled  before  laundering.  When  this  becomes 
necessary,  put  to  soak  for  fifteen  minutes  in  plain 
warm  water — soft,  if  possible.  Then  prepare  a 
jelly  with  one  pound  of  soap  to  each  blanket,  and 
boiling  water,  pour  into  a  tub  of  warm  water  and 
lather  well,  wring  the  blankets  from  the  soaking 
water  into  this  and  let  soak  for  ten  minutes,  then 
rub  between  the  hands,  bit  by  bit,  until  as  clean 
as  possible,  wring  into  the  first  rinsing  water,  which 
should  be  just  warm,  then  rinse  a  second  time  in 
tepid  water,  and  dry  well  without  exposing  to  great 
heat.  Instead  of  being  hung,  blankets  can  be  dried 
on  curtain  stretchers.  When  dry  rub  with  a  piece 
of  rough  flannel ;  this  makes  them  fluffy  and  soft. 

WASHING  CURTAINS 

Curtains  and  draperies  should  be  shaken  and 
brushed  free  from  all  the  dust  possible,  before 
washing.  Lace  curtains,  and  especially  those  which 
are  very  fine  or  much  worn,  need  dainty  and  care- 
ful handling.  Soak  for  an  hour  or  two  in  warm 
water  containing  a  little  borax,  then  squeeze  out 
the  water  and  drop  into  a  boiler  half  filled  with 


154  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

cold  water  to  which  have  been  added  one  half  bar  of 
soap,  shaved  thin,  two  tablespoonfuls  of  ammonia, 
and  one  of  turpentine.  Bring  to  a  boil  and  let  stand 
at  the  boiling  point,  without  boiling,  for  half  an 
hour,  stirring  occasionally  with  the  clothes  stick, 
rinse  thoroughly,  starch  well  with  thick  boiled 
starch,  and  stretch  on  frames  to  dry.  If  frames 
are  not  available,  pin  to  a  carpet  which  has  been 
smoothly  spread  with  a  clean  sheet.  When  a  pure 
white  is  desired,  add  a  little  bluing  to  the  starch 
water.  Water  tinted  with  coffee  will  produce  an 
ecru  effect,  while  tea  will  give  a  more  decided  hue. 
Muslin  curtains  are  laundered  like  any  other  fine 
white  goods. 

TIDYING  UP  AND   SPRINKLING 

The  last  article  being  hung  on  the  line,  each 
implement  used  in  the  process  of  washing  must  be 
cleaned,  dried,  and  put  in  its  place,  the  laundry 
floor  scrubbed,  and  everything  made  spick  and 
span;  then  comes  the  sprinkling  and  rolling  of  the 
piles  of  snowy,  sweet-smelling  linen,  all  full  of 
fresh  air  and  sunshine,  to  make  a  little  rest  time 
after  the  vigorous  exercise  which  precedes  it.  It 
must  be  done  with  care  as  much  depends  upon 
it.  Table  linen,  unless  taken  from  the  line  while 


THE    LAUNDRY  155 

still  moist,  should  be  sprinkled  very  damp,  folded 
evenly,  rolled  and  wrapped  in  a  white  cloth,  and 
placed  in  the  clothes  basket,  which  has  been  pre- 
viously lined  with  an  old  sheet.  Bed  linen  and 
towels  require  very  little  dampening;  they,  too,  to 
be  rolled  and  placed  with  the  table  linen.  Sprinkle 
body  linen  well,  particularly  the  lace  and  embroid- 
ery trimmings,  roll  tight,  wrap,  and  add  to  the 
growing  pile  in  the  basket.  The  kitchen  towels 
which  have  just  come  from  the  line  may  be  utilized 
for  wrapping  purposes.  Handkerchiefs  receive 
the  same  treatment  as  napkins  in  sprinkling,  fold- 
ing, and  ironing.  Although  everything  irons  more 
easily  after  being  rolled  for  some  time,  thus  evenly 
distributing  the  dampness,  an  exception  must  be 
made  of  colored  clothing,  which  must  not  be  sprin- 
kled more  than  half  an  hour  before  it  is  ironed. 
When  the  sprinkling  is  all  done,  cover  the  basket 
with  a  damp  cloth,  then  with  a  dry  one,  and  leave 
till  ironing  time.  If  a  coal  range  is  in  use,  see  that 
the  fire  is  burning  steadily,  replenishing  from  time 
to  time,  first  on  one  side,  then  on  the  other,  brush 
off  the  top  of  the  stove,  wipe  the  irons,  and  put 
on  to  heat.  If  they  heat  slowly,  invert  a  large  dish 
pan  over  them. 


156  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

CARE   OF   IRONS 

When  not  in  use,  irons  can  be  protected  from 
dampness  and  resulting  rust  by  covering  with 
mutton  fat  or  paraffine,  rubbed  on  while  slightly 
warm.  It  is  easily  removed  when  the  irons  are 
wanted  for  use.  Bust  spots  can  be  removed  by 
applying  olive  oil,  leaving  for  a  few  days,  and  then 
rubbing  over  with  unslaked  lime.  Scrub  with 
soap  and  water,  rinse,  dry,  rub  with  beeswax,  and 
wipe  off  with  a  clean  cloth.  The  soap  and  water 
treatment,  followed  by  a  vigorous  rubbing  on  brick- 
dust,  should  be  given  frequently,  irrespective  of 
rust.  Irons  must  neither  be  allowed  to  become  red- 
hot  nor  to  stand  on  the  range  between  usings,  or 
roughness  will  result.  When  not  in  use,  stand  on 
end  on  a  shelf.  Kubbing  first  with  beeswax  and 
then  with  a  clean  cloth  will  prevent  the  irons  from 
sticking  to  the  starched  things. 

HOW  TO   IRON 

Before  beginning  to  iron  have  everything  in 
readiness — beeswax,  a  heavy  paper  on  which  to 
test  the  iron,  a  dish  of  water,  and  a  soft  cloth  or 
a  small  sponge  for  dampening  surfaces  which  have 
become  too  dry  to  iron  well,  or  which  have  been 


THE    LAUNDRY  157 

poorly  ironed  and  need  doing  over.  Stand  the 
ironing  table  in  the  best  light  which  can  be  found, 
with  the  ironing  stand  at  the  right  and  the  clothes 
at  the  left,  and  work  as  rapidly  as  consistent  with 
good  results.  There  is  no  royal  road  to  ironing, 
but  with  perseverance  and  care  the  home  laundress 
can  become  quite  expert,  even  though  she  cannot 
hope  to  compete  with  the  work  turned  out  by  those 
who  do  nothing  but  iron  six  days  in  the  week. 
Give  the  iron  a  good,  steady  pressure,  lifting  from 
the  board  as  little  as  possible,  and  then — iron! 
Take  the  bed  linen  first,  giving  a  little  extra  press 
to  the  hems  of  the  sheets.  Many  housewives  have  a 
theory  that  unironed  sheets  are  the  more  hygienic ; 
that  ironing  destroys  the  life  and  freshness  im- 
parted by  the  sun  and  air.  Such  being  the  case, 
the  sheets  can  be  evenly  and  carefully  folded  and 
put  through  the  wringer,  which  will  give  them  a 
certain  smoothness.  Towels  may  be  treated  in  the 
same  way,  while  flannels,  knit  wear,  and  stockings 
may,  if  one  chooses,  be  folded  and  put  away  un- 
ironed. Table  linen  must  be  smoothed  over  on  the 
wrong  side  till  partially  dry,  and  then  ironed  rap- 
idly, with  good  hot  irons  and  strong  pressure  on 
the  right  side,  lengthwise  and  parallel  with  the 
selvage,  until  dry.  This  brings  out  the  pattern 


158  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

and  imparts  a  satiny  gloss  to  the  fabric,  leaving  it 
dainty,  soft,  and  immaculate.  Iron  all  embroideries 
on  the  wrong  side.  Trimmings  and  ruffles  must  be 
ironed  before  doing  the  body  of  the  garment,  going 
well  up  into  the  gathers  with  a  light,  pointed  iron, 
carefully  avoiding  pressing  in  wrinkles  or  unex- 
pected pleats.  Iron  frills,  either  plain  or  with  a 
narrow  edge,  on  the  right  side  to  give  the  neces- 
sary gloss.  Bands,  hems,  and  all  double  parts 
must  be  ironed  on  both  sides.  Iron  colored  clothes 
— lawns,  dimities,  percales,  chambrays,  etc. — on  the 
wrong  side,  with  an  iron  not  too  hot,  otherwise  the 
color  is  apt  to  be  injured.  The  home  laundress 
is  usually  not  quite  equal  to  the  task  of  ironing 
shirts,  which  would  far  better  go  to  the  laundry  j 
but  when  done  at  home  from  choice  or  necessity, 
plenty  of  patience  and  muscle  must  be  applied. 
Iron  the  body  of  the  shirt  first,  then  draw  the 
bosom  tightly  over  a  board  and  attack  it  with  the 
regular  irons,  wipe  over  quickly  with  a  damp  cloth 
and  press  hard  with  the  polishing  iron.  The  iron- 
ing of  very  stiffly  starched  articles  may  be  facili- 
tated by  covering  with  cheesecloth  and  pressing 
until  partially  dry;  then  remove  the  cloth  and  iron 
dry.  As  each  piece  is  ironed,  hang  on  bars  or 
line  until  thoroughly  dried  and  aired.  A  certain 


THE    LAUNDRY  159 

amount  of  moisture  remains,  even  after  the  iron- 
ing, and  must  be  entirely  removed  before  the  final 
sorting  and  folding  and  putting  away. 

And  so  the  wash-day  drama  comes  to  an  end. 
We  survey  with  pride  and  complaisance  the  piles 
of  clean  linen,  shining  with  spotless  elegance,  and 
as  we  read  therein  a  whole  sermon  on  the  "  Gospel 
of  Cleanliness,"  we  conclude  that  it  is  decidedly 
worth  while,  and  rejoice  that  fifty-two  times  a  year 
this  is  a  "  washing-day  world." 


CHAPTER   VIII 

TABLE  FUBNISHINGS 

THE   mistress   no   doubt  has   a  housewifely 
taste  for  receipts,  and  may,  perhaps,  find 
the  following  formula  of  service  to  her  in 
her  home-making : 

DINING-ROOM  CHEER 

One  set  of  fine,  spotless  table  linen  sprinkled — 
not  too  thickly — with  pretty  glass,  china,  and  silver, 
and  well  lightened  with  brightness  tempered  to  the 
right  consistency  not  to  dazzle.  To  this  add  a  few 
sunny  faces,  some  good  conversation  spiced  with 
gayety — the  unpalatable,  distasteful  portions  hav- 
ing been  previously  eliminated.  Then  quietly  and 
by  degrees  add  food  which  has  been  carefully  and 
daintily  prepared  and  arranged.  Over  all  scatter 
little  flecks  of  kindliness  and  courtesy  till  an  inward 
glow  is  produced,  and  keep  at  this  point  from  half 
an  hour  to  an  hour,  or  longer. 

This  receipt  may  be  depended  upon  to  give 

160 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  161 

satisfaction  under  any  and  all  conditions,  and  is 
compounded  of  ingredients  which  exemplary  home 
makers  have  always  at  hand.  If  conscientiously 
followed  failure  is  impossible.  "  It's  use  is  a  good 
habit." 

STOCKING  THE  CHINA  CUPBOARD 

Of  its  component  parts  the  more  substantial 
ones  are  perhaps  the  most  easily  acquired;  not 
in  hit-or-miss,  anything-to-get-it-done  fashion,  but 
with  a  view  to  carrying  out  some  definite  idea  of 
table  adornment,  which  is  quite  the  most  charming 
part  of  the  home  building.  Dishes  are  more  or  less 
mixed  up  with  poesy,  which  is  full  of  "  flowing 
bowls,"  "  enchanted  cups,"  "  dishes  for  the  gods," 
"  flagons  of  ale,"  and  other  appetizing  suggestions ; 
and  it  would  be  rather  a  good  thing  to  keep  the 
poetry  in  mind  during  the  fitting  out,  that  there 
may  be  nothing  aggressively  cheap  nor  loudly 
assertive,  but  each  piece  harmoniously  congenial 
to  its  fellows.  There  need  be  no  hurry — that  is 
one  of  the  delights  o'  it — and  the  shopping  may 
mean  only  "  looking,"  for  the  good  buyer  believes 
that  many  dishes  are  to  be  examined  but  few  chosen 
— a  meat  set  here,  a  salad  set  there,  a  piece  of  cut 
glass  somewhere  else — here  a  little  and  there  a 


162  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

little,  with  time  to  get  acquainted  with  and  enjoy 
each  added  treasure  as  it  comes.  It  is  a  rare  ex- 
perience, this  stocking  the  china  cupboard;  one 
likely  to  be  prolonged  through  one's  entire  house- 
keeping experience,  thanks  be ! 

THE  GROUNDWORK 

There  is  so  much  exquisitely  patterned  and  in- 
expensive china,  glass,  and  porcelain  turned  out 
these  days  that  one  cannot  wander  very  far  afield 
in  buying  unless  she  gets  lost  among  the  intricacies 
of  castors — pickle  and  otherwise — ironstone  china, 
colored  and  imitation  cut  glass,  and  butter  dishes 
with  domelike  covers.  Probably  the  persons  who 
invented  these  have  gone  to  join  hands  with  the 
perpetrator  of  the  red  tablecloth.  May  their  works 
soon  follow  them!  Complete  sets  of  dishes  are 
giving  way  to  the  character  and  diversity  imparted 
to  the  table  by  odd  pieces  and  sets  for  different 
courses.  However,  a  pretty,  inexpensive  set  of 
porcelain  or  china — something  which  will  bear  ac- 
quaintance, and  of  some  easily  replaced  standard 
pattern— is  a  good  beginning,  for  one  rarely  starts 
out  with  a  full  equipment  of  fine  china,  and  even 
so,  there  should  be  something  stronger  to  bear  the 
heaviest  brunt  of  wear.  All  complete  sets  contain 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  163 

one  hundred  and  seven  pieces,  and  include  one 
dozen  each  of  dinner,  breakfast,  tea,  soup,  and  but- 
ter plates,  and  cups  and  saucers  of  medium  size, 
three  platters  of  various  sizes,  vegetable  dishes, 
covered  and  coverless,  and  a  gravy  boat.  Tureen, 
sugar  bowl,  and  cream  pitcher,  and  after-dinner 
coffees  are  not  included,  but  may  be  ordered  extra. 
The  choice  in  everyday  sets  lies  between  plain 
white — preferably  the  French  china,  known  as 
Haviland,  which  can  be  bought  for  $35 — and  the 
blue  -  and  -  white  English  porcelain  of  different 
makes — Copeland,  Trenton,  etc.,  a  desirable  set  of 
which  costs  $15  and  higher.  All-white  is  entirely 
blameless  from  the  standpoint  of  good  taste,  and 
has  a  dainty  fineness  in  the  Haviland  of  which  one 
rarely  tires,  while  it  never  clashes  with  anything 
else  on  the  table.  It  is  so  infinitely  preferable  to 
cheap,  gaudy  decorations,  so  sincerely  and  honestly 
what  it  seems  to  be,  that  it  has  a  certain  self-respect- 
ing quality  which  one  cannot  help  but  admire. 
Blue-and-white  has  an  attraction  which  has  never 
died  since  it  had  its  birth  in  the  original  Delft, 
which  is  copied  so  extensively  now  in  Japan  and 
China.  And  though  the  porcelain  is  but  an  imita- 
tion, it  is  a  clever  one,  and  one  which  leaves  little 
to  be  desired  in  decorative  value  and  general  effect. 


164  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

The  design  may  strike  one  at  first  as  being  a  little 
heavy,  but  it  improves  on  acquaintance,  and  it  has 
been  very  aptly  said  that  the  fact  of  its  having 
survived  enthusiasm  should  vouch  for  its  worth. 
Porcelain  has  a  good  glaze  which  does  not  readily 
crack  or  break.  Advancing  in  the  scale  of  cost 
and  fineness,  we  come  to  that  most  beautiful  of  all 
chinas — the  gold-and-white — which  can  be  had  at 
from  $50  a  set  up  to  as  high  as  $1,500.  The  gild- 
ing is  in  coin  gold,  the  effect  of  richness  tempered 
with  chastity  being  carried  through  all  grades  in 
varying  intensity.  It  "  expresses  itself  beyond 
expression,"  and  is  an  honor  to  any  table. 

COURSE   SETS 

When  it  comes  to  the  purchase  of  course  sets, 
different  tastes  can  find  instant  gratification  in 
numberless  colorings  and  designs.  Overdecoration 
and  large  floral  devices  must  be  avoided,  but  any 
delicately  expressed  pattern  is  good,  and  here 
again  the  gold-and-white  seems  to  fulfill  all  de- 
mands. Soup,  salad,  tea,  butter,  and  other  plates 
can  be  had  in  china  from  30  cents  apiece  up.  Ar- 
ticles of  this  kind,  in  a  standard  pattern,  may  be 
bought  one  or  two  at  a  time,  and  added  to  as  abil- 
ity permits  until  the  set  is  completed.  Any  unusual 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  165 

design  runs  through  two  years,  after  which  it  can 
be  obtained  only  from  the  factory.  A  dozen  of 
each  is  a  good  number  to  aim  at,  for  there  will  be 
many  occasions  which  will  call  out  one's  whole  dish 
brigade  and  keep  it  actively  engaged.  The  old 
joke  about  having  to  wash  dishes  between  courses, 
and  sending  the  ice  cream  afloat  on  a  warm  plate, 
really  loses  its  amusing  aspect  when  it  becomes 
an  actual  experience.  Unless  the  mistress  prefers 
to  serve  her  soup  at  the  table,  a  tureen  is  not  a 
necessity,  but  if  used,  it  must  match  the  soup  plates. 
It  is  a  somewhat  fluctuating  fashion,  out  at  present. 
Soup  plates  are  not  the  great  flaring  affairs  of 
yore.  They  either  follow  the  old  shape,  much  re- 
duced, or  are  in  the  nature  of  a  large  sauce  dish. 
The  meat  set  of  platters,  plates,  and  vegetable 
dishes  comes  into  play  at  all  meals,  tea  plates  can 
be  put  to  a  variety  of  uses — in  fact,  many  dishes 
supplement  one  another  at  a  saving  of  expense  and 
numbers.  If  one  has  a  handsome  glass  bowl  suffi- 
ciently large,  a  special  salad  bowl  is  not  an  essential, 
but  a  china  bowl  demands  plates  to  match.  Hand- 
painted  china,  in  sets  or  odd  pieces,  is  pretty — 
sometimes — if  artistically  designed  and  perfectly 
executed,  but  a  little  goes  a  long  way.  Don't  be 

the  innocent  victim  of  some  well-meaning  relative 
12 


166  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

with  the  china-painting  bee.  Gently  but  firinl; 
refuse  to  sacrifice  the  beauty  of  your  table  t< 
family  ties;  they  ought  to  be  able  to  stand  th< 
strain,  but  your  table  cannot. 

ODD   PIECES 

Japanese  and  Chinese  ware  is  steadily  gaining 
in  favor — another  instance  in  which  imitation 
permissible,  for  the  "  real  thing "  is  undoubtedl: 
costly.    The  quaint  conceits  in  creams  and  sugars 
chocolate  pots,  bonbon  dishes,   and  plates,  witl 
their  storks  and  chrysanthemums,  their  almond- 
eyed  damsels  and  mandarins,  are  always  interesl 
ing.    The  fad  of  odd  cups  and  saucers  is  fast  devel- 
oping into  a  fixed  fashion,  and  a  good  one,  which  i{ 
a  particular  boon  to  the  giver  of  gifts  on  Christmas 
and  other  anniversaries  when  "  presents  endear 
absents."     Pretty  styles  in  all  sizes  of  different 
French,  German,  and  English  makes  can  be  found 
at  50  cents  and  up,  with  special  reductions  at  sale 
times.    Larger  plates,  to  accommodate  both  the  slice 
of  bread  and  the  butter  ball,  have  taken  the  place  of 
the  tiny  butter  plate,  and  should  properly  match  the 
meat  set.    A  touch  of  gold  with  any  china  decora- 
tion gives  it  a  certain  character  and  richness.    The 
chop  platter — among  the  nice-to-haves  and  bought 


WEDGWOOD  POTTERY,   AND  SILVER  OF  ANTIQUE   DESIGN. 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  167 

as  an  odd  piece — belongs  in  the  lightning  change 
category;  for  it  may  serve  us  our  chops  and  peas 
during  the  first  course,  our  molded  jelly  salad 
during  the  second,  and  our  brick  of  ice  cream  or 
other  dessert  during  the  third.  The  range  in  price 
is  from  $1  up  to  $5  and  $6  for  the  choicest  de- 
signs. Then  there  are  berry  sets  of  a  bowl  and  six 
saucers,  both  being  turned  to  account  for  different 
uses,  and  costing  in  Haviland  as  low  as  $1.75. 
And  there  must  be  some  small  bowls  or  large  sauce 
dishes  for  breakfast  use,  if  our  housewife  is  cere- 
ally  inclined,  and  a  china  tile  or  two  on  little  legs 
to  go  under  the  coffee  and  tea  pots.  The  china 
pudding  dish,  with  its  tray  and  its  heat-proof 
baking  pan,  is  a  pretty  and  convenient  accessory, 
saving  the  bother  of  veiling  the  crackled  complex- 
ion of  the  ordinary  baking  dish  with  a  napkin. 
These  cannot  be  had  for  less  than  $3.50  and  are 
made  in  silver  also,  minus  the  tray  and  plus  a 
cover.  The  teapot,  true  symbol  of  hospitality,  has 
come  down  from  the  high  estate  to  which  it  was 
formerly  created,  and  is  a  fat,  squatty  affair  now. 
Dainty  sets  of  teapot,  cream,  and  sugar  matching 
— a  nobby  little  outfit — are  to  be  had  for  $2,  in 
gold-and-white,  $3,  etc.  There  are  after-dinner 
coffee  sets,  too.  Needless  to  say  there  must  not 


168  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

be  even  the  slightest  acquaintance  between  fine 
china  or  porcelain  and  the  hot  oven  if  you  value 
their  glaze. 

SILVER  AND   PLATE 

Of  the  purchase  of  silver  there  is  little  to  say. 
Unless  her  friends  have  been  very  generous  in 
their  gifts  of  solid  ware,  the  mistress  usually  ac- 
quires it  a  little  at  a  time,  contenting  herself  with 
the  plated  for  general  use.  Here  the  souvenir  fork 
or  spoon  frequently  steps  into  the  breach,  but  in 
default  of  any  other,  good  shining  plated  ware 
presents  just  as  good  an  appearance  as  the  solic 
and  serves  every  purpose  until  the  plate  begins 
to  show  wear,  when  it  should  be  renewed  withoul 
delay.  The  plainer  the  pattern  the  better.  Me- 
dium-sized knives  and  forks  of  the  best  Rogers 
triple  plate  sell  for  $7  a  dozen,  teas  for  10  cents 
less,  fruit  knives  for  $3.  Teaspoons  in  the  dainty 
Seville  pattern,  with  only  a  beaded  trimming 
around  the  handle,  are  $4  a  dozen,  dessert  spoons 
$3.25  a  half  dozen,  and  tablespoons  $3.75.  A 
gravy  ladle  costs  $1.25.  The  infinite  variety  of 
odd  forks  and  spoons  for  various  uses  is  besl 
acquired  with  the  other  solid  silver.  Plated  wan 
ought  never  to  serve  acids  nor  top  salt  shakers 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  169 

since  both  acid,  and  salt  when  damp,  corrode  the 
plating.  Solid  salt  and  pepper  shakers  can  be  had 
as  low  as  $1  a  pair,  cut  glass  with  solid  tops  for 
$1  and  $1.50.  If  individual  salt  dishes  are  used, 
they  must  be  accompanied  by  tiny  solid  salt  spoons 
at  35  cents  apiece  and  up.  Very  nice  though  not 
altogether  necessary  accompaniments  of  the  bread- 
and-butter  plates  are  the  individual  butter  knives 
at  $10  a  dozen. 

If  steel-bladed  knives  are  preferred  to  silver, 
the  medium  size,  with  composition  handles  of  cellu- 
loid and  rubber,  are  $4.50  a  dozen,  with  accom- 
panying forks  with  silver-plated  tines  at  $7.50. 
The  carving  knife,  broad,  long,  and  strong,  with 
its  fork,  good  steel  both,  can  be  had  for  $2.75, 
with  a  game  knife,  its  blade  short  and  pointed  and 
its  handle  long,  with  its  fork,  $2.50. 

GLASS 

Cut  glass  is  another  of  the  can-do-withouts,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  the  carafe,  now  used  instead  of  the 
old-fashioned  water  pitcher,  at  $3,  $3.50,  etc. ;  cruets 
for  vinegar  and  oil,  simply  cut  and  in  good  style, 
for  as  low  as  $1.50  each ;  and  the  finger  bowls,  one 
for  each  person.  The  last,  of  thin  crystal  and  per- 
fectly plain  save  for  a  sunburst  of  cutting  under- 


170  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

neath,  are  $3  a  dozen,  with  others  more  elaborate, 
and  costly  in  proportion.  Tumblers,  thin,  dainty, 
and  delightful,  cut  a  little  at  the  bottom,  are  $1.50 
a  dozen,  and  far  pleasanter  to  drink  from  than 
their  elaborately  cut  and  artistic  brethren.  Occa- 
sionally a  pretty  little  olive  dish  can  be  picked  up 
for  as  low  as  $1.50  or  $2,  but  rather  perfect  and 
inoffensive  plainness  than  imitation  cut,  cheap, 
crude,  and  clumsy.  The  American  cut  glass  is  con- 
sidered the  choicest.  Side  by  side  with  it,  and  pre- 
ferred by  many  as  being  less  ostentatious,  is  the 
beautiful  Bohemian  glass,  with  its  exquisite  tracer- 
ies in  gold  and  delicate  colors.  Only  in  this  glass 
is  color  permissible,  and  then  principally  in  recep- 
tacles for  flowers.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that 
it  was  from  a  Bohemian  glass  plate  the  King  of 
Hearts  stole  the  tarts  on  a  certain  memorable  occa- 
sion, and  if  so,  one  can  readily  understand  why 
the  temptation  was  so  irresistible  to  him. 

ARRANGEMENT 

To  put  all  our  pretty  things  on  the  table  in  such 
a  way  that  the  result  shall  be  a  picture  of  dainti- 
ness, grace,  and  symmetry  is  seemingly  a  simple 
matter,  but  the  trick  of  good  taste  and  a  mathe- 
matical eye  are  both  involved  in  it.  The  mannei 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  171 

of  setting  and  serving  the  table  varies  somewhat 
with  each  meal,  but  a  few  suggestions  apply  to  all 
alike.  The  center  of  the  table  must  be  exactly 
under  the  chandelier,  and  covered  with  the  pretty 
centerpiece  with  its  dish  of  ferns,  a  vase  of  posies, 
or  a  potted  plant  in  a  white  crinkled  tissue-paper 
pinafore.  Nothing  else  has  the  decorative  value 
of  the  table  posy,  however  simple,  which  seems 
to  breathe  out  some  of  its  outdoor  life  and  fresh- 
ness, and  should  never  be  omitted.  Twenty  inches 
must  be  allowed  for  each  cover,  or  place,  to  give 
elbow  room,  and  all  that  belongs  to  it  should  be 
accurately  and  evenly  placed.  At  the  right  go  the 
knives — sharp  edges  in — and  spoons,  with  open 
bowls  up,  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  to  be  used, 
beginning  at  the  right.  At  the  points  of  the  knives 
stands  the  water  glass.  At  the  left  are  arranged 
the  forks,  tines  up,  also  in  the  order  of  use,  begin- 
ning at  the  left,  with  the  butter  plate,  on  which 
rests  the  butter  knife,  a  little  above  the  forks. 
The  napkin — which  should  be  folded  four  times  in 
ironing  and  never  tortured  into  fantastic  shapes, 
restaurant  fashion — lies  either  at  the  left  of  the 
forks  or  on  the  plate  at  the  center  of  the  cover. 
If  many  spoons  are  to  be  used,  the  soup  spoon 
alone  rests  beside  the  knife,  with  the  others  above 


172  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

the  plate.  Individual  salt  cellars  go  above  the 
plates,  shakers  at  the  sides  or  corners  of  the  table, 
within  easy  reach,  and  one  carafe  is  usually  allowed 
for  every  three  or  four  people.  Carving  cloths  are 
laid  before  the  plates  are  put  on,  with  the  carving 
knife  at  the  right,  the  fork  at  the  left.  Water  is 
poured,  butter  passed,  and  bread  arranged  on  the 
table  just  before  the  meal  is  served.  Extra  dishes 
and  the  plates  for  use  during  the  different  courses 
stand  in  readiness  on  a  little  side  table,  silver  and 
glass  alone  being  appropriate  to  the  sideboard. 

DUTIES  OF  THE  WAITRESS 

The  maid  stands  behind  the  master  or  mistress 
to  serve  the  plate  of  meat,  the  bowl  of  soup,  and 
so  on,  taking  it  on  her  tray  and  placing  it  with 
her  right  hand  from  the  right  of  the  person  served. 
All  plates  are  placed  by  the  waitress,  while  she 
serves  all  vegetables,  sauces,  etc.,  from  the  left, 
holding  the  dish  on  her  tray  or,  if  it  be  a  heavy 
one,  in  her  hand,  within  easy  reach.  Soiled  dishes 
she  removes  from  the  right  with  her  right  hand, 
placing  them  on  her  tray  one  at  a  time,  platter 
and  serving  dishes  first,  then  individual  dishes  and 
silver  until  everything  belonging  to  the  course  has 
been  removed.  Crumbs  are  taken  up  from  the 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  173 

left  with  a  crumb  knife  or  napkin,  never  with  a 
brush.  Many  housekeepers  prefer  to  dismiss  the 
maid  after  the  main  part  of  the  meal  is  served, 
ringing  for  her  when  her  services  are  necessary, 
thus  insuring  a  greater  privacy  during  the  charmed 
hour,  and  affording  an  opportunity  for  those  little 
thoughtful  attentions  when  each  serves  his  neigh- 
bor as  himself. 

THE   BREAKFAST  TABLE 

The  breakfast  table  is  usually  laid  with  center- 
piece and  plate  doilies  these  days,  and  it  may  not 
be  ill-timed  to  suggest  that  every  effort  be  made  to 
have  this  meal  cheery  and  attractive,  for  it  is,  alas, 
too  often  suggestive  of  funeral  baked  meats  and 
left-over  megrims  from  the  night  before.  If  fruit 
is  to  be  served,  followed  by  a  cereal  and  a  meat  or 
other  heavier  course,  each  place  is  provided  with  a 
fruit  plate  with  its  doily  and  knife,  a  breakfast 
knife  and  fork,  a  dessert  spoon,  two  teaspoons,  and 
a  finger  bowl.  The  fruit  should  be  on  the  table 
when  the  family  assemble,  with  the  cups  and  saucers 
and  other  accompaniments  of  the  coffee  service  ar- 
ranged before  the  mistress's  place.  Warm  sauce 
dishes  for  the  cereal  and  warm  plates  for  the  course 
which  follows  it  must  be  in  readiness. 


174  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

LUNCHEON 

Luncheon  is  the  simplest,  daintiest,  most  in- 
formal meal  of  the  day— just  a  little  halting  place 
hetween  breakfast  and  dinner,  where  one's  pretty 
china  comes  out  strongly.  The  setting  of  the 
doily-spread  table  follows  the  usual  arrangement. 
Everything  necessary  for  serving  tea  is  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  table,  with  the  meat  or  other  sub- 
stantial dish  at  the  opposite  end.  Most  of  the 
food  is  placed  on  the  table  before  the  meal  is  an- 
nounced, and  as  there  are  usually  but  two  courses 
the  plates  are  changed  only  once.  The  only  differ- 
ence between  luncheon  and  tea  being  the  hour  of 
serving,  the  same  rules  govern  both.  The  lunch 
cloth  or  the  hemstitched  linen  strips  may  be  used 
instead  of  the  place  doilies. 

DINNER 

Dinner  is  a  more  solemn  matter.  On  goes  our 
immaculate  tablecloth  now,  over  a  thick  pad,  its 
one  crease  exactly  in  the  middle  of  the  table,  and 
all  wrinkles  and  unevennesses  made  smooth  and 
straight.  Centerpiece  and  posy  go  squarely — or 
roundly — in  the  center,  with  silver,  salts,  and  carv- 
ing set  arranged  as  usual.  The  butter  plate  is 
frequently  omitted  from  this  meal,  an  oblong 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  175 

slice  of  bread,  a  dinner  roll,  or  a  bread  stick  being 
placed  between  the  folds  of  each  napkin,  or  on  the 
butter  plate,  if  used,  with  the  butter  ball  and  knife. 
If  soup  is  to  be  served,  the  spoon  is  placed  at  the 
right  of  the  knives.  There  is  a  preference  for  the 
use  of  a  "  service  plate  "  at  this  meal — the  plate 
which  is  at  each  place  when  dinner  is  announced, 
and  is  not  removed  until  the  first  hot  course  after 
the  soup — but  this  is  usually  dispensed  with  when 
there  is  but  one  servant.  Proper  cutlery  for 
carving  has  its  place  before  the  carver,  the  carv- 
ing cloth  being  removed  before  dessert.  If  black 
coffee  is  served  as  the  last  course,  the  after-dinner 
coffee  spoons  are  placed  in  the  saucers  before  serv- 
ing. Finger  bowls  appear  the  last  thing. 

THE   FORMAL   DINNER 

The  formal  dinner  follows  the  general  idea  and 
arrangement  of  the  family  dinner,  with  consider- 
able elaboration.  Out  come  our  dress-up  table 
linen,  china,  glass,  and  silver,  and  we  add  certain 
festive  touches  in  the  way  of  vines  and  cut  flowers 
loosely  and  gracefully  disposed  in  glass  or  silver 
bowls  and  vases.  At  the  four  sides  of  the  center- 
piece go  the  dainty  glass  candlesticks,  which  cost 
35  cents  apiece,  coming  up  to  91  cents  with  the 


176  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

candle  lamp,  candle,  mica  chimney,  and  shade  com- 
plete, the  shade  matching  the  flowers  in  color.  The 
lesser  light  which  thus  rules  the  night  casts  a 
witching  glamour  over  the  table,  shadowing  imper- 
fections, softening  features,  warming  heart  cockles, 
and  loosening  tongues.  Yellow  is  always  good, 
green  cool  in  summer,  red  heavy,  and  pink  of  the 
right  shades  genial.  Lace  and  ribbon  have  been 
banished  from  the  table  as  being  inconsistent  with 
simplicity,  but  a  small  bunch  of  flowers  or  a  single 
flower  at  each  place  gives  a  pretty  touch.  The 
water  glass  is  moved  over  to  the  top  of  the  plate 
now,  to  make  room  for  the  wine  glasses  which  are 
grouped  above  the  knives.  The  oyster  fork  is 
placed  at  the  right  of  the  soup  spoon,  the  fish  fork 
at  the  left  of  the  other  forks.  Overmuch  silver 
savors  of  ostentation;  therefore,  if  many  courses 
are  to  be  served,  the  sherbet  spoon  may  go  above 
the  plate,  the  other  extra  silver  to  be  supplied 
from  the  side  table  when  needed.  Fancy  dishes 
containing  olives,  salted  nuts,  and  confections 
are  arranged  on  the  table,  all  other  dishes  being 
served  from  the  kitchen  or  side  table.  It  being 
taken  for  granted  that  the  food  is  properly  sea- 
soned, no  condiments  are  on  the  table.  Place  cards 
rest  on  the  napkins. 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  177 

THE    FORMAL   LUNCHEON 

The  formal  luncheon  table  closely  follows  the 
formal  dinner  table,  except  that  place  doilies  are 
used  instead  of  the  tablecloth.  The  bouillon  spoon 
replaces  the  soup  spoon,  and  other  changes  in  the 
silver  may  be  necessitated  by  the  lighter  character 
of  the  food  served.  The  room  may  be  darkened 
and  candles  used  if  the  hostess  so  elect.  If  addi- 
tional light  is  required  at  either  dinner  or  luncheon, 
it  should  come  through  shades  harmonizing  with 
the  candle  shades,  and  hung  not  higher  than  the 
heads  of  the  guests. 

WASHING  GLASS 

And  after  this,  the  deluge — of  dishwashing! 
The  cleansing  of  the  glass  opens  the  session.  If 
much  fine  or  heavily  cut  glass  is  to  be  washed, 
cover  the  draining  board  and  the  bottom  of  the  pan 
with  a  soft,  folded  cloth.  Wash  one  piece  at  a 
time  in  water  not  too  hot — about  three  quarts  of 
cold  water  to  one  of  boiling,  to  which  a  very  little 
white  soap,  with  a  tablespoon  of  ammonia,  has 
been  added — going  well  into  the  cuttings  with  a 
brush ;  then  rinse  in  water  a  little  hotter  than  the 
first,  leave  for  a  moment,  and  turn  upside  down 


178  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

on  the  board  to  drain  until  the  next  piece  is  ready. 
Then  dry  with  a  soft  towel,  or  plunge  into  a  box 
of  nonresinous  sawdust,  better  warm,  which  ab- 
sorbs moisture  not  reached  by  the  cloth.  Eemove 
from  the  sawdust,  brush  carefully,  and  polish  with 
a  soft  cloth.  If  kept  free  from  dust,  sawdust  can 
be  dried  and  used  indefinitely.  Care  must  be  taken 
that  there  is  no  sand  in  dishpan  or  cloth  to  give 
the  glass  a  scratch  which  may  end  in  a  crack  or 
break.  Put  a  spoonful  of  finely  chopped  raw 
potatoes,  or  crushed  eggshells,  or  half  a  dozen 
buckshot  into  decanters,  carafes,  jugs,  and  narrow- 
mouthed  pitchers,  with  a  little  warm  soda  or  am- 
monia water,  and  shake  vigorously  till  all  stain  is 
removed,  rinse  and  dry.  The  water  in  which  glass 
is  washed  must  be  kept  absolutely  free  from  greasy 
substances.  If  milk,  ice  cream,  or  custard  has  been 
used,  rinse  off  with  cold,  then  blood-warm  water 
before  washing.  Cut  glass  must  never  be  subjected 
to  marked  differences  in  temperature,  and  for  this 
reason  should  not  be  held  under  the  faucets,  as  the 
heat  cannot  be  regulated.  Glass  with  gilt  decora- 
tion must  be  washed  quickly  and  carefully  with 
water  free  from  either  soda  or  ammonia,  which 
attack  the  gilt,  and  dried  gently. 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  179 

WASHING   AND   CLEANING   SILVER 

The  silver  comes  next,  careful  washing  obviat- 
ing the  necessity  for  cleaning  oftener  than  once  a 
month.  Knives,  forks,  and  spoons,  which  were 
separated  into  piles  when  taken  from  the  table,  are 
washed  first,  then  the  other  pieces  in  use,  in  hot 
white  soapsuds  with  a  little  ammonia,  rinsed  with 
clear  scalding  water,  dried  with  a  soft  towel,  one 
at  a  time,  and  rubbed  vigorously,  when  all  are  done, 
with  chamois  or  Canton  flannel.  Egg  or  vegetable 
stains  can  be  removed  with  wet  salt,  black  marks 
with  ammonia  and  whiting.  Only  enough  silver 
to  supply  the  family  use  is  kept  out;  the  hand- 
some jelly  bowls,  cream  jugs,  etc.,  are  wrapped  in 
white  tissue  paper,  placed  with  a  small  piece  of 
gum  camphor  in  labeled  Canton  flannel  bags,  clos- 
ing with  double  draw  strings,  and  are  then  locked 
away  in  a  trunk  or  a  flannel-lined  box  with  a  close- 
fitting  lid.  If  put  away  clean  and  bright,  as  they 
should  be,  they  retain  their  luster  and  only  need 
polishing  once  a  year.  When  the  regular  silver- 
cleaning  day  comes  around,  wash  and  dry  the  silver 
in  the  prescribed  way,  and  rub  with  sifted  whiting 
wet  with  alcohol,  leaving  no  part  untouched,  and 
allow  to  dry  on.  When  all  the  pieces  have  been 


180  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

treated  thus,  rub  with  a  flannel  cloth  and  polish 
with  a  silver  brush.  Regular  brushes  are  made  for 
this  purpose  and  are  invaluable  in  getting  into  the 
ornamental  work.  Never  make  the  mistake  of 
applying  a  tooth  or  nail  brush,  which  will  surely 
scratch  and  mar  the  fine  surface.  Most  silver  pol- 
ishes are  made  of  chalk  prepared  in  different  ways, 
but  beware  of  the  one  which  cleans  too  quickly :  it 
is  liable  to  remove  the  silver  with  the  tarnish. 
Silver  must  not  be  allowed  to  become  badly  stained, 
thus  necessitating  hard  rubbing  and  additional 
wear  and  tear. 

HOW  TO  WASH  CHINA 

China  washing  requires  a  pan  nearly  full  of 
water  of  a  temperature  not  uncomfortable  to  the 
hand,  beaten  into  a  good  suds  with  a  soap  shaker: 
Very  hot  water,  or  a  sudden  change  from  cold  to 
hot,  is  apt  to  crack  the  fine  glaze.  Use  a  dish  mop 
for  the  cleanest  dishes,  and,  beginning  with  the 
cups  and  saucers,  and  placing  only  a  few  in  the 
pan  at  a  time,  wash  quickly  without  allowing  to 
soak,  rinse  in  water  a  little  hotter  than  the  first, 
and  wipe  until  perfectly  dry  and  shiny.  Pouring 
hot  water  over  china  and  leaving  it  to  drain  itself 
dry  may  save  time,  but  it  will  be  at  the  expense  of 


TABLE    FURNISHINGS  181 

the  polish.  Spread  the  dishes  out  on  the  table  to 
cool — piling  them  while  hot  injures  the  glaze — and 
put  away  the  first  washing  before  commencing  on 
the  heavy,  greasy  things.  The  washing  water  must 
be  changed  as  soon  as  a  greasy  scum  collects 
around  the  sides  of  the  pan. 

CARE   OF   KNIVES 

Bone-,  wood-,  or  pearl-handled  knives  should 
never  go  into  the  dishpan,  but  be  stood,  blade 
down,  in  a  pitcher  containing  a  little  water  and 
soda,  the  blades  having  first  been  wiped  off  with 
paper,  and  left  till  everything  else  is  done.  They 
are  then  washed  singly  with  clean  suds,  special 
care  being  bestowed  upon  the  juncture  of  the  blade 
with  the  handle,  rinsed,  and  dried  immediately. 
If  stained,  rub  with  half  of  a  potato  or  with  a 
cork  dipped  in  powdered  pumice  stone,  wipe  dry, 
wash,  and  polish  with  a  little  bath  brick  or  sapolio. 
Clean  carving  knives  and  forks  in  the  same  way, 
going  around  the  joinings  with  a  rag-covered 
skewer.  Spots  can  be  removed  from  ivory  handles 
with  tripoli  mixed  with  sweet  oil;  from  mother- 
of-pearl  with  sifted  whiting  and  alcohol,  which  is 
washed  off  and  followed  with  a  polishing  with  dry 
whiting  and  a  flannel  cloth.  Cover  rusted  knife 

13 


182  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

blades  with  sweet  oil,  rub  in  well,  and  leave  for 
forty-eight  hours,  then  rub  with  slaked  lime.  Bri- 
tannia, pewter,  and  block  tin  in  table  use  are  pol- 
ished the  same  as  silver. 


CHAPTER   IX 

THE   BEDKOOM 

THE  bedroom  is  very  like  an  olcl  familiar 
friend:  it  sees  us  as  we  really  are,  tempt- 
ing us  to  throw  off  all  veneer  of  pretense 
or  worldliness  and  rest  in  just  being  ourselves — a 
rest  so  sweet  and  wholesome  and  good  that  we  go 
from  it  recreated  and  strengthened.  In  the  spirit 
of  truest  friendship  it  exacts  nothing,  but  by  its 
subtle,  quiet  sympathy  charms  away  our  restless- 
ness and  presents  us  anew  to  that  person  known 
as  our  better  self.  The  friend  of  our  choice  is  the 
one  who  wears  well;  who  never  intrudes,  never 
wearies,  never  pains  us;  whose  influence  is  one 
of  rest,  of  restoration,  of  reinspiration — the  em- 
bodiment of  the  true  mission  of  the  bedroom.  It, 
like  our  friend,  must  be  able  to  survive  with  honor 
the  test  of  that  familiarity  which  comes  with  in- 
timacy— whether  it  shall  breed  contempt  or  con- 
tent. And  so  as  we  plan  it,  let  us  endeavor  to 
temper  our  likes  and  dislikes  with  judgment  until 

183 


184  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

we  can  be  reasonably  sure  that  it  will  be  a  room 
pleasant  to  live  with,  and  companionable,  which 
will  not  irritate  our  moods  into  becoming  moodier, 
nor  our  weariness  into  becoming  wearier. 

LIGHT  AND  AIR 

Of  first  importance,  of  course,  are  light  and  air ; 
these  we  must  have,  and  sun  if  possible.  One  good 
warm  ray  of  sunshine  is  a  more  effective  destroyer 
of  disease  and  "  dumps  "  than  all  the  drugs  on  the 
market;  while  good  ventilation  is  one  of  the  most 
valuable  as  well  as  one  of  the  cheapest  and  most 
ignored  assets  of  the  home,  particularly  of  the 
bedroom,  where  our  hereditary  enemy,  the  microbe, 
loves  especially  to  linger.  Given  air  and  light,  we 
have  the  best  possible  start  toward  our  rest  room 
and  upon  its  exposure  and  size  depends  largely 
what  we  shall  add  unto  it  in  the  way  of  furnishings 
and  decorations.  Dark  walls  and  floors  wrap  one 
in  gloom  and  have  no  place  in  any  bedroom.  A 
warm,  sunny  exposure  invites  the  use  of  contrast- 
ingly cool  light  blues,  grays,  greens,  and  creams ; 
while  the  glow  of  delicate  pinks  and  yellows  helps 
to  make  a  sunshine  in  the  shadows  of  a  north  light. 
East  and  west  lights  adapt  themselves  to  the  taste- 
ful use  of  almost  any  color,  saving  and  excepting 


THE    BEDROOM  185 

red,  which  cannot  be  mentioned  in  the  same  breath 
with  rest  and  has  the  red-rag-to-the-bull  effect  on 
nerves.  If  an  overstrong  affection  for  it  demands 
its  use,  it  must  be  indulged  in  sparingly  and  much 
scattered  and  tempered  with  white.  Though  a  cer- 
tain sympathetic  warmth  should  be  expressed  in 
the  bedroom  coloring,  we  want  rather  to  feel  than 
to  see  it,  and  too  much  becomes  a  weariness. 

CARPETS  VERSUS   RUGS 

Beginning  with  the  base,  as  becomes  a  good 
builder,  and  working  upward,  floor  coverings  which 
cover  without  covering,  if  one  may  indulge  in  an 
Irishism,  are  far  preferable  to  those  which  extend 
from  wall  to  wall.  Carpets  undoubtedly  have  their 
uses:  they  make  over  well  into  rugs,  supply  heat 
to  the  feet,  particularly  in  summer,  and  to  the  dis- 
position during  the  semiannual  house  cleaning. 
They  also  cover  a  multitude  of  moths.  But  they 
belong  to  the  dark  ages  of  unenlightened  woman- 
hood whose  chief  end  was  to  keep  house,  and  have 
been  jostled  into  the  background  by  bare  floors  or 
mattings,  with  rugs.  Hardwood  floors  certainly 
are  nice  and  seem  to  wear  an  air  of  conscious  pride 
of  birth,  but  their  humbler  self-made  brethren  of 
common  pine,  stained  and  varnished  or  oiled,  an- 


186  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

swer  the  purpose  fully  as  well.  It  really  amounts 
to  a  case  of  rugs  make  the  floor,  for  if  they  are 
pretty  and  conveniently  disposed  about  it,  the  floor 
itself  receives  very  little  attention.  Small  rugs 
before  bed,  dresser,  and  chiffonier  will  suffice  in 
a  small  room,  and  can  be  easily  taken  out  and 
cleaned,  but  a  more  commodious  room  requires  the 
dressed  look  imparted  by  the  larger  rug.  What- 
ever its  size,  avoid  large  figures  and  strong  colors, 
choosing  rather  a  small,  somewhat  indistinct  pat- 
tern woven  in  the  deeper  shades  of  the  other  dec- 
orations of  the  room,  at  the  same  time  supply- 
ing a  foundation  which,  without  calling  attention 
to  itself,  becomes  a  good  support  for  the  general 
decorative  plan — a  base  strong  but  neither  heavy 
nor  striking.  Since  we  were  made  to  stand  erect 
and  look  up,  it  is  irritating  to  have  one's  eyes 
drawn  downward  by  the  unattractive  attraction  of 
an  ugly  rug.  The  colonial  cotton  rag  rugs  are  quite 
the  most  desirable  for  bedroom  use,  from  a  sani- 
tary as  well  as  an  artistic  standpoint,  and  are 
woven  to  produce  charming  effects.  The  usual 
combination  is  two  colors — white  with  blue,  yellow, 
green,  or  pink,  black  with  red,  different  shades  of 
the  same  color,  etc.  Occasionally  three  colors  are 
used,  but  more  are  apt  to  destroy  the  dainty  sim- 


THE    BEDROOM  187 

plicity  which  is  the  chief  charm  of  rugs  of  this  kind. 
They  are  woven  like  any  other  rag  rug,  and  of  any 
dimensions. 

MATTINGS 

Mattings,  if  preferred  to  the  bare  floor,  come 
in  a  variety  of  patterns  and  colors  and  look  neat 
and  fresh,  and  cool  in  summer  if  used  without 
rugs.  They  are  a  yard  wide  and  range  in  price 
from  10  to  50  cents  a  yard  for  the  Chinese,  and 
from  20  to  60  cents  for  the  Japanese.  There  is  very 
little  choice  between  the  two,  though  the  Chinese 
wears  a  little  better,  perhaps.  Matting  is  easily 
broken  and  should  not  be  used  where  the  bed  must 
be  drawn  away  from  the  wall  to  be  made,  or  heavy 
furniture  moved  about. 

WALL  COVERING 

Passing  from  floor  to  walls,  we  reach  that  por- 
tion of  the  room  which  gives  it  its  real  atmosphere 
and  supplies  a  background  for  all  that  it  contains, 
of  both  "  things  and  people."  The  bedroom  seems 
to  be  preeminently  a  woman's  room :  here  she  reads 
and  writes,  rests  and  sews ;  it  is  her  help  in  trouble, 
her  refuge  in  times  of  storm.  The  intangible  some- 
thing which  surrounds  the  eternal  feminine  clings 
about  her  room  and  tells  a  very  truthful  tale  of 


188  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

the  individuality  of  its  occupant.  Her  favorite 
color  peeps  out  from  wall  and  drapery ;  her  books, 
well-thumbed  and  bearing  evidences  of  intimate 
association,  lie  cozily  about,  and  her  workbasket 
reveals  the  source  of  certain  dainty  covers  and 
indescribable  nothings  which  so  materially  refine 
the  whole  aspect  of  the  room.  Though  she  receives 
her  formal  calls  in  the  drawing-room,  it  is  in  her 
bedroom  that  those  confidential  chats,  so  dear  to 
the  feminine  heart,  take  place;  therefore  its  back- 
ground must  be  chosen  with  some  idea  of  its  becom- 
ingness,  and  the  happy  medium  in  color  and  tint 
selected,  softening  and  becoming  to  all  alike.  As 
absence  of  manners  is  good  manners,  so  absence 
of  effect  is,  after  all,  the  best  effect.  First  and 
foremost,  avoid  the  plague  of  white  walls  and  ceil- 
ings, which  cast  a  ghastly  light  over  the  whole 
room  and  make  one  fairly  shiver  with  cold.  The 
general  plan  is  to  shade  the  color  up  from  floor  to 
ceiling,  and  this  is  accomplished  in  so  many  differ- 
ing and  equally  attractive  ways  that  it  is  impos- 
sible to  do  more  than  offer  suggestions  which  may 
be  elaborated  to  suit  individual  tastes  and  condi- 
tions. Of  course  calcimine  is  the  simplest  and 
cheapest  style  of  decoration,  and  recommends  itself 
to  the  anti-germ  disciple  because  it  can  be  renewed 


THE    BEDROOM  189 

annually  at  slight  expense.  The  only  difficulty  lies 
in  getting  just  the  right  tint,  for  decorators,  though 
no  doubt  worthy  of  their  hire,  are  not  always 
capable  of  handling  the  artistic  side  of  their  busi- 
ness, and  an  uncongenial  shade  gets  on  the  nerves 
after  a  while.  The  same  thing  holds  true  of 
painted  walls  and  ceilings,  though  they  too  are  hy- 
gienically  good.  When  we  come  to  papers,  we  are 
lost  in  a  maze  of  stripes  and  garlands  and  nose- 
gays, either  alone  or  in  combination.  Prettiness 
is  by  no  means  synonymous  with  expense  these 
days,  when  the  general  patterns  and  colors  of  costly 
papers  are  successfully  reproduced  in  the  cheaper 
grades.  Tapestry  papers  are  too  heavy  for  bed- 
rooms. Those  figured  with  that  mathematical  pre- 
cision which  drives  the  beholder  to  counting  and 
thence  to  incipient  insanity,  and  others  on  which  we 
fancy  we  can  trace  the  features  of  our  friends,  are 
always  distracting,  especially  during  illness,  when 
restfulness  is  so  essential.  The  plain  cartridge- 
papered  wall  with  frieze  and  ceiling  either  flowered 
or  of  a  light  shade  of  the  same  or  a  contrasting 
color  is  never  obtrusive  and  always  in  good  taste. 
With  a  flowered  wall  a  plain  ceiling  is  a  relief,  and 
vice  versa.  Figures  in  both  walls  and  ceiling  are 
tiring,  besides  having  none  of  the  effect  resulting 


190  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

from  contrast.  Walls  in  plain  stripes  need  to  be 
livened  with  a  fancy  ceiling,  or  ceiling  and  frieze, 
with  their  background  always  of  the  lightest  tint 
in  the  side  wall.  One  room  of  particular  charm 
was  all  in  yellow.  The  molding  had  been  dropped 
three  feet  from  the  ceiling,  giving  the  impression 
of  a  low  ceiling  and  that  snugness  which  goes  with 
it,  and  up  to  it  ran  the  satin-striped  paper,  while 
over  frieze  and  ceiling  ran  a  riot  of  yellow  roses. 
And  here  was  asserted  the  ingenuity  of  its  occupant, 
who  had  cut  out  some  of  the  roses  and  draped  them 
at  the  corners  and  by  door  and  window  casings, 
where  they  seemed  to  cling  after  being  spilled  from 
the  garden  above.  This  same  idea  can  be  worked 
out  with  garlands  or  bunches  of  different  flowers, 
bow  knots,  or  other  distinct  designs.  No  large 
figures  of  any  description  should  be  introduced 
into  a  small  room,  and  the  whole  effect  of  the 
decoration  must  be  cheerful  without  being  bois- 
terous, gay,  or  striking.  If  the  ceiling  is  low,  the 
wall  paper  continues  up  to  it  without  a  frieze,  the 
molding — which  corresponds  with  the  woodwork — 
being  fastened  where  wall  and  ceiling  join.  Back- 
grounds of  amber,  cream,  fawn,  rose,  blue,  or  pale 
green,  with  their  designs  in  soft  contrasting  colors, 
are  the  strictly  bedroom  papers. 


THE    BEDROOM  191 

BEDROOM  WOODWORK 

The  very  prettiest  bedroom  woodwork  is  of 
white  enamel,  which  has  that  light,  airy  look  we  so 
want  to  catch,  and  never  quarrels  with  either  fur- 
niture or  decorations.  But  of  woodwork  painted 
in  any  color  beware,  take  care!  Finely  finished 
hardwood  has  the  honesty  of  true  worth  and  needs 
no  dressing  up ;  but  its  poor  relation,  that  hideous 
product  of  old-time  dark  stain  and  varnish  is  only 
a  kill-beauty,  and  should  be  wiped  out  of  existence 
with  a  dose  of  white  paint. 

BEDROOM   DRAPERIES 

In  selecting  bedroom  draperies,  two  "  don'ts  " 
must  be  strictly  observed:  don't  use  flowered  dra- 
pery with  a  flowered  wall,  and  don't  buy  heavy, 
unwashable  hangings  of  woolen,  damask,  satin,  or 
brocade,  which  not  only  are  out  of  harmony  with 
the  whole  idea  of  bedroom  simplicity,  but  shut  out 
air  and  sunlight,  make  the  room  seem  stuffy,  and 
collect  and  hold  dust  and  odors.  The  patterns  of 
chintzes,  cretonnes,  and  silkolenes  are  manufac- 
tured to  follow  closely  the  paper  designs,  and  where 
flowered  ceiling  and  frieze  are  used  with  a  plain 
wall,  the  same  color  and  design  may  be  carried  out 


192  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

in  bed  and  window  draperies,  and  in  couch  and 
chair  coverings.  With  a  flowered  or  much-figured 
wall  snowy  curtains  of  Swiss,  muslin,  or  net,  with 
ruffles  of  lace  or  of  the  same  material,  are  prettier 
than  anything  else ;  and  for  that  matter,  they  are 
appropriate  with  any  style  of  decoration  and  can 
always  be  kept  fresh  and  dainty.  But  elaborate 
lace  curtains  which  have  seen  better  days  else- 
where are  most  emphatically  not  for  bedrooms, 
and  should  find  another  asylum.  A  pretty  window 
drapery  is  the  thin  white  curtain  with  a  colored 
figured  inner  curtain.  The  use  of  figured  draperies 
demands  a  good  sense  of  proportion  and  of  the 
eternal  fitness  of  things,  else  it  easily  degenerates 
into  abuse. 

BEDROOM  FURNISHING 

The  bedroom  furniture  must  be  chosen  rather 
with  a  view  to  fitness  than  to  fashion.  "  Sets  "  are 
no  more.  How  stereotyped  and  assertive  they 
were,  and  undecorative !  Bed,  dresser,  and  wash- 
stand,  forcibly  recalling  to  one  the  big  bear,  middle- 
sized  bear,  and  little  bear  of  nursery  lore,  were 
clumsy  and  heavy  and  bad,  even  in  hardwood ;  but 
when  they  were  simply  stained  imitations  of  the 
real  thing,  and  ornate  with  wooden  knobs,  machine 


THE    BEDROOM  193 

carving,  and  ungraceful  lines,  they  were  truly  un- 
speakable. The  bed  with  its  fat  bolster,  on  top 
of  which,  like  Ossa  on  Pelion  piled,  stood  the  pil- 
lows, perhaps  covered  with  shams  which  bade  one 
"  Good  night "  and  "  Good  morning  "  in  red  cotton 
embroidery —  was  especially  hideous  as  contrasted 
with  our  present-day  enameled  or  brass  bed,  and 
belongs  to  the  dark  ages  of  crocheted  "  tidies," 
plush-covered  photograph  albums,  "whatnots," 
prickly,  slippery  haircloth  furniture,  and  other 
household  idols  which  bring  thoughts  that  lie  too 
deep  for  tears.  Only  two  styles  of  sets  find  a  wel- 
come in  the  up-to-date  home — the  rich,  dark,  mel- 
low mahogany,  which  is  too  costly  for  the  average 
pocketbook,  and  the  white  enameled.  Even  so  the 
component  parts  differ  from  those  of  a  few  years 
back;  then  the  dresser  was  considered  an  absolute 
essential ;  now  we  frequently  prefer  the  more  grace- 
ful dressing  table,  with  its  small  drawer  or  two 
for  the  unornamental  toilet  accessories,  or  the  com- 
promise between  the  two — the  princess  dresser — 
with  the  roomy  chest  of  drawers  or  chiffonier. 
The  all-white  furniture  gives  the  room  an  air  of 
chaste  purity  and  is  no  more  expensive  than  a  set 
in  any  other  good  wood,  but  must  be  well  enameled 
or  it  will  be  impossible  to  keep  it  clean. 


194  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

CAREFUL  SELECTION 

The  trend  of  popular  sentiment  is  toward  the 
metal  bed,  with  accompanying  furniture  in  plain 
or  bird's-eye  maple,  mahogany,  dark  oak,  curly 
birch,  or  mahogany-birch.  Dressers  range  in  price 
from  $9  to  $50;  princess  dressers  from  $10.50  to 
$50;  chiffoniers  from  $10  to  $357  and  dressing 
tables  from  $10  to  $50.  Furniture,  like  friends, 
cannot  be  acquired  promiscuously  without  unpleas- 
ant consequences.  There  is  no  economy  in  buying 
cheap,  veneered  pieces  which  will  be — or  ought  to 
be — always  an  eyesore.  The  truly  thrifty  home- 
maker  will  wait  until  she  can  afford  to  buy  some- 
thing genuinely  good,  and  then  buy  it  with  the 
conviction  that  she  is  laying  up  treasures  of  future 
happiness  and  contentment.  The  "  good  "  piece  is 
exactly  what  it  claims  to  be,  without  pretense  or 
artificiality,  of  hardwood  of  course/  of  simple  con- 
struction, and  graceful,  artistic  lines,  its  few  deco- 
rations carved,  not  glued  on. 

TOILET  AND   DRESSING  TABLES 

Simplicity  must  be  the  keynote  of  all  bedroom 
furnishings.  The  middle  course  in  price  is  the  safe 
one  to  follow,  leaning  toward  the  greater  rather 


THE    BEDROOM  195 

than  toward  the  lesser  cost.  If  there  is  a  bathroom 
conveniently  near,  it  is  better  to  dispense  with 
a  washstand;  but  if  its  use  is  imperative,  make  it 
as  little  obtrusive  as  possible.  The  home  carpenter 
can  easily  fashion  one  from  a  plain  pine  table,  hung 
with  a  valance  to  match  the  other  draperies.  If  a 
marble-topped  table  is  available,  so  much  the  better. 
Toilet  sets  can  be  purchased  for  $4  and  up,  and 
should  be  of  simple  design  and  decoration,  plain 
white  or  gold-and-white  being  advisable  for  gen- 
eral use,  as  neither  will  clash  with  anything  else 
in  the  room.  A  very  satisfactory  set  in  the  gold- 
and-white  is  to  be  had  for  $8.  A  dainty  dressing 
table  follows  the  idea  of  a  makeshift  washstand. 
It  should  be  made  of  a  sizeable  drygoods  box,  with 
shelves,  and  the  top  padded  and  covered  to  match 
the  drapery.  The  mirror  which  hangs  over  it  may 
be  draped,  or  simply  framed  in  white  enamel,  gold, 
or  whatever  blends  with  the  room.  Overdraping 
not  only  looks  fussy,  but  means  additional  bother 
and  care.  The  drapery  is  thrown  over  a  frame 
fastened  above  the  mirror. 

FURTHER  COMFORTS 

In  addition  to  what  is  considered  the  regulation 
bedroom  furniture,  there  should  be  a  small  table 


196  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

at  the  bead  of  the  bed  for  the  glass  of  water,  the 
candle  or  night  lamp,  and  books  of  devotion:  a 
couch  for  the  mistress's  rest  hours,  and  to  save  the 
immaculateness  of  the  bed;  a  comfortable  rocker, 
with  a  low  sewing  chair  and  one  or  two  with 
straight  backs;  and,  when  two  people  occupy  the 
room,  a  screen  which  insures  some  degree  of  pri- 
vacy and  affords  a  protection  from  draughts.  If 
one  is  restricted  in  closet  room,  a  box  couch  is  a 
great  convenience ;  if  in  sleeping  room,  an  iron  cot 
or  a  folding  sanitary  couch,  which  becomes  a  bed 
by  night,  is  invaluable,  A  chintz,  cretonne,  or 
other  washable  cover,  with  plenty  of  pretty  pillows 
to  invite  indolence,  can  be  used  on  either,  with  an 
afghan  or  some  other  sort  of  pretty  "throw"' 
Though  upholstered  furniture  is  out  of  place  here, 
chair  cushions  corresponding  with  wall  paper  or 
draperies  give  a  touch  of  coiy  comfort  One  rooarj 
with  dove-gray  walls  dotted  with  white,  and  all 
other  furniture  of  white  enamel,  bad  mahogany 
chairs  of  severe  amqJfaUy  of  ill  ••£•!,  with  backs 
and  seats  covered  with  rose-strewn  mlmm  which 
«tendedinabox^tedflc^^  Tins 

was  the  only  touch  of  color,  save  a  water  color  or 
two,  in  a  room  overflowing  wft}1  restfolness  and 
:: ..: 


THE    BEDROOM 


are  pretty  and  appropriate,  too.    The  screen,  with 
its  panels  draped  in  harmony  with  other  hangings, 
should   match   the  furniture.     The  new  willow 
screens  are  light,  dainty,  and  easily  moved 
table,  footstool  or  two,  and  desk  can  be  added  if 
desired,    A  greater  length  of  mirror  than  that  af 
folded  by  the  dresser  glass  em  be  secured  by  set- 

|m  •  hriVt-ii^L  Diinni  into  On  pndi  ::  on  •:: 

-  V  -   -^  -  -  — ,  -      *  •»  i,-i^*_ ._  •»  —jf^        »*        j  . » 

me  doors — a  nsloon  bom  pretty  and  convenient. 

Haw  a  care  that  all  mirrors  are  of  plate  glass,  for 
the  foreshorteoed,  distorted  image  widen  looks 
bact  at  o«  from  an 


THE  BEDSTEAD 


198  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

of  a  freer  circulation  of  air;  they  can  be  painted 
over  and  freshened  up  when  necessary,  and  look 
well  with  any  furniture.  The  best  patterns  are 
formed  by  parallel  bars  and  circles,  those  with 
simple  lines  conveying  the  idea  of  solidity,  and 
with  the  least  ornamentation,  being  preferable 
always.  The  extension  foot  facilitates  the  arrange- 
ment of  spread  or  valance,  and  if  drapery  is  de- 
sired, beds  with  head  posts  fitted  with  canopy 
frames  or  "  testers  "  are  to  be  had.  Brass  beds 
are  the  most  expensive  of  metal  beds,  costing  from 
$22  to  $55,  or  as  much  more  as  one  cares  to  pay. 
They  have  to  be  handled  with  great  care — or 
rather,  not  handled  at  all  unless  through  the  me- 
dium of  a  soft  cloth.  The  vernis  Martin  bed  of 
gilded  iron  produces  the  same  general  effect,  and 
is  but  little  more  costly  than  the  enamel  bed,  but, 
after  all,  it  is  only  another  "  imitation."  Enameled 
beds  can  be  had  for  from  $2  all  the  way  up  to  $31. 
It  cannot,  of  a  surety,  be  necessary  to  warn  against 
those  hideous  embodiments  of  bad  taste,  colored 
beds,  with  their  funereal  blacks,  lurid  reds,  and 
sickly  blues,  greens,  and  yellows.  Enough  said! 
And  avoid  too  much  brass  trimming.  The  bed 
should  stand  on  casters — wooden — and  not  too 
high: 


THE    BEDROOM  199 

SPRING,   MATTRESS,   AND   PILLOWS 

Those  two  friends  to  nightly  comfort,  a  first- 
class  spring  and  a  hair  mattress,  are  vastly  impor- 
tant. If  the  still,  small  voice  of  economy  whispers 
that  other  mattresses  are  "  just  as  good,"  stifle  it. 
The  hair  mattress  is  the  only  really  sanitary  one, 
since  it  can  be  washed  and  made  over  and  plumped 
up  times  without  number,  and  surely  no  other  en- 
joys the  distinction  of  descending  from  generation 
to  generation,  with  the  other  family  treasures. 
Hair  mattresses  cost  from  $10  up,  according  to 
the  length  of  the  hair,  but  a  good  one  of  full  size 
cannot  be  had  under  $30.  Felt  mattresses,  from 
$7.25  to  $13.50,  are  next  in  desirability,  the  best 
of  these,  warranted  not  to  cake,  being  preferable 
to  the  cheap  hair  mattress  with  short  hair.  Then 
come  moss  mattresses  with  cotton  tops,  $4.70  to 
$8 ;  husk  with  cotton  tops,  $3.15  to  $4 ;  and  excel- 
sior, cotton-topped,  $2  to  $4.  Mattresses  in  two 
unequal  parts,  the  larger  going  at  the  head  of  the 
bed  and  the  smaller  at  the  foot,  are  more  easily 
handled  and  turned  than  those  in  one  piece.  A 
slip  of  heavy  white  cotton  cloth  covering  the  mat- 
tress entire,  is  a  great  protection,  and  should  be 
washed  at  stated  intervals. 


200  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

Box  springs  are  luxuriously  comfortable,  an 
average  spring,  felt-topped,  costing  $17 — ^hair- 
topped,  $18.50.  Those  topped  with  tow  and  moss 
are  less  expensive.  There  is  only  one  objection  to 
the  box  spring:  when  the  bedbug  once  effects  an 
entrance  therein,  the  days  of  that  spring  are  num- 
bered, for  there  is  no  evicting  him.  Woven  wire 
and  coil  springs  run  from  $2.25  up,  according  to 
the  number  of  coils,  wires,  and  weight. 

Mattress  and  pillows  are  covered  to  match,  these 
days,  in  all  sorts  of  charming  colors  and  designs, 
if  one  cares  to  add  a  little  to  the  cost.  Over  the 
mattress  goes  a  quilted  cotton  pad,  interlined  with 
one  thickness  of  cotton  batting.  Pads  can  be  made 
at  home,  or  purchased  for  $1.25,  $1.50,  or  $1.75, 
according  to  the  size  of  the  bed.  The  unbleached 
cost  25  cents  less.  Some  housekeepers  prefer  a 
flannel  pad  as  being  more  porous,  and  therefore 
more  easily  aired.  Each  bed  should  have  its  own 
pair  of  white  woolen  blankets,  an  average  pair 
costing  about  $5,  but  a  really  "  worth-while  "  one 
is  scarcely  obtainable  under  $12  or  $15.  A  little 
cotton  mixed  with  the  wool  is  not  objectionable,  as 
it  prevents  so  much  of  the  shrinkage  to  which  wool 
is  liable.  Heavy  and  uncomfortable  "  comforts," 
which  supply  in  weight  what  they  lack  in  warmth, 


THE    BEDROOM  201 

are  neither  desirable  nor  healthful.  Folded  across 
the  foot  of  the  bed  should  lie  the  extra  covering 
for  cold  nights,  either  an  eiderdown  or  less  costly 
quilt,  daintily  covered  with  cheesecloth,  silkolene, 
etc. 

Two  night  pillows  to  a  bed  are  the  usual  allow- 
ance. Good  live-goose  feather  pillows  sell  for  from 
$3  to  $7,  depending  on  the  size,  and  should  be  pro- 
vided with  extra  cotton  slips,  buttoning  on,  to 
protect  the  tick.  The  feather  bolster  has  had  its 
day.  Its  descendant,  the  bedroll  of  hair,  paste- 
board, or  papier  mache,  is  for  ornament  only,  and 
is  used  as  a  finish  at  the  head  of  the  bed  with  fancy 
draperies  or  coverings,  which  it  matches.  Shams, 
too,  are  going  out,  with  other  things  which  are  not 
what  they  seem.  The  thought  of  untidiness  always 
underlies  their  freshness,  and  so  we  prefer  to  put 
the  night  pillows  in  the  closet  during  the  day  and 
let  the  bedroll  or  the  day  pillows  take  their  place. 
If  there  is  a  shortage  of  pillows,  the  night  cases 
can  be  exchanged  for  pretty  ruffled  ones  of  lawn, 
muslin,  dimity,  or  linen.  If  one  still  clings  to 
shams,  corresponding  sheet  shams  should  also  be 
used. 


202  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

BED   DECORATION 

There  remains  yet  to  be  found  anything  more 
airily,  chastely  dainty  than  the  all-white  bed  with 
its  plain  or  fringed  Marseilles  spread  and  its 
raffled  pillows.  Though  drapery  has  a  picturesque 
effect,  it  interferes  to  a  certain  extent  with  the  free 
circulation  of  air,  and  affords  a  lurking  place  for 
our  insidious  enemy — the  microbe.  If  used  at  all, 
it  should  only  be  in  a  large,  well-ventilated  room, 
and  sparingly,  for  a  fussy,  overloaded  bed  looks 
anything  but  restful.  If  considerable  color  has 
already  been  introduced  into  the  room,  the  bed 
drapery,  cover,  and  valance  should  be  of  some  thin 
white  washable  material — dimity,  Swiss,  and  the 
like.  But  with  plain  papers,  flowered  cretonne, 
chintz,  etc.,  are  appropriate.  The  canopy  top  is 
covered  with  the  material,  stretched  smooth,  and 
either  plain  or  plaited,  and  the  drapery  gathered 
about  the  back,  sides,  and  front  of  this,  from  which 
it  hangs  in  soft  folds  to  within  two  or  three  inches 
of  the  floor.  It  should  be  simply  tied  back.  The 
canopy  projects  not  more  than  half  a  yard  beyond 
the  head  of  the  bed,  and  may  be  either  oblong  or 
semicircular.  Very  thin  white  material  is  used 
over  a  color.  Whatever  the  material,  it  must,  of 


! 


THE    BEDROOM  203 

course,  be  washable  and  kept  immaculate.  The 
newest  bed,  all  enameled  and  with  a  bent  bar  of 
iron  at  head  and  foot,  lends  itself  to  a  pretty  style 
of  drapery,  which  is  simply  a  plain,  fitted  white 
slip-over  case  for  head  and  foot,  finished  with  a 
valance  of  the  same  depth  as  that  of  the  counter- 
pane, which  leaves  no  metal  visible  anywhere  about 
the  bed.  Pretty  Marseilles  spreads  may  be  had 
for  $3 ;  cheaper  ones  in  honeycomb  follow  the  same 
designs.  The  white  spread,  with  a  colored  thread 
introduced,  may  answer  for  the  maid's  room — 
never  for  the  mistress's. 

SIMPLICITY 

When  two  persons  occupy  a  room,  twin  beds 
furnished  exactly  alike  are  preferable  to  the  double 
bed.  An  exclusively  man's  room  demands  some- 
what different  treatment,  though  the  general  prin- 
ciples of  furnishing  apply  to  all  bedrooms.  A  man 
abhors  drapery,  and  usually  prefers  an  ascetic 
simplicity  to  what  he  is  pleased  to  term  "flub- 
dubs." His  notions  of  art  are  liable  to  express 
themselves  in  pipes,  steins,  and  other  masculine 
bric-a-brac;  but  whatever  his  wills  and  wonts  on 
the  furnishing  question,  his  room  must  show  care 
and  attention. 


204  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

The  rule  of  elimination  is  a  good  one  to  follow 
in  bedroom  pictures;  no  "rogue's  gallery"  of 
photographs,  no  useless,  meaningless,  and  trivial 
pictures,  but  just  a  madonna  or  two,  perhaps  a 
photographic  copy  of  some  old  master,  with  a  fa- 
vorite illuminated  quotation — something  to  help 
and  quiet  and  inspire. 

Tables,  dresser,  and  chiffonier  should  have  each 
its  spotless  cover  of  hemstitched  or  scalloped  linen, 
or  ruffled  lawn  or  Swiss — anything  but  towels. 
They  will  answer,  of  course,  but  we  want  a  little 
more  than  just  answering. 

CARE  OF   BEDROOM  AND   BED 

Much  of  the  refinement  of  the  bedroom  depends 
upon  its  daily  care.  This  begins  with  its  airing 
the  first  thing  in  the  morning.  The  bed  is  stripped 
of  its  coverings,  which  are  spread  over  two  chairs 
placed  before  the  open  window;  the  mattress  is 
half  turned  over,  and  night  clothes  and  pillows 
are  placed  near  the  window.  The  slops  are  then 
emptied,  bowl  and  all  toilet  articles  washed  in  hot 
water  and  dried,  pitcher  emptied  and  refilled  with 
fresh  water,  and  soiled  towels  replaced  by  clean 
ones.  Soiled  towels  must  never  be  used  to  clean 
the  crockery.  Cleaning  cloths  for  bedroom  use 


THE    BEDROOM  205 

should  be  kept  for  that  purpose  alone.  Once  a 
week  slop  receptacles  must  be  scalded  with  sal 
soda  water  and  stood  in  the  sun.  After  an  hour 
the  windows  may  be  closed  and  the  bed  made.  The 
first  thing  is  to  turn  the  mattress — end  for  end  one 
day,  side  for  side  the  next — and  then  comes  the 
pad,  and  after  it  the  sheets.  The  lower  one  is 
put  on  right  side  up,  drawn  tight,  and  tucked  in 
smoothly  all  around;  the  upper  should  be  wrong 
side  up,  drawn  well  up  to  the  head,  and  tucked 
in  at  the  bottom,  and  the  blankets  brought  up  to 
within  half  a  yard  of  the  head,  with  the  open  end 
at  the  top.  When  all  is  straight  and  even,  the 
upper  sheet  is  turned  back  smoothly  over  the 
blankets  and  both  are  tucked  snugly  in.  The  coun- 
terpane, which  was  folded  and  laid  aside  during 
the  night,  then  goes  on,  and  is  brought  down  evenly 
over  the  foot  and  sides  of  the  bed,  the  bedroll  or 
day  pillows  are  added,  and  the  bed  is  itself  again. 
On  Saturday  the  bottom  sheet  is  replaced  by  the 
top  sheet,  which,  in  turn,  is  replaced  by  a  clean 
one,  and  the  pillowcases  are  changed.  The  spread 
usually  needs  changing  about  once  a  month.  The 
night  pillows  are  now  beaten  and  put  away,  and 
night  clothes  are  hung  in  the  closet.  Other  articles 
are  put  in  their  places,  the  dresser  top  is  brushed 


206  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

off  and  its  various  contents  properly  arranged, 
litter  is  taken  up  with  dustpan  and  brush,  or  carpet- 
sweeper,  and  the  room  is  dusted.  Opened  windows 
at  night  are  a  foregone  conclusion. 

VERMIN  AND  THEIR   EXTERMINATION 

Though  it  seems  indelicate  to  suggest  the  possi- 
bility of  a  bug  in  a  well-kept,  charming  chamber, 
even  the  best  housekeeping  is  not  always  proof 
against  feeling  "  things  at  night."  Metal  beds  are 
rather  inhospitable  to  bugs,  and  if  carefully  ex- 
amined, with  the  mattress,  once  a  week,  there  is 
small  danger  of  their  getting  a  foothold.  If  traces 
are  discovered,  hunt  out  the  bugs  and  exterminate 
them  if  possible,  and  sprinkle  bed  and  mattress 
with  a  good,  reliable  insect  powder ;  or  spray  with 
gasolene,  or  wood  alcohol  and  corrosive  sublimate, 
and  keep  the  room  shut  up  for  a  few  hours.  Base- 
board and  moldings  should  also  be  treated  in  this 
way.  If,  after  repeating  several  times,  this  proves 
ineffectual,  smoke  out  the  room  with  sulphur,  first 
removing  all  silver  and  brass  articles  and  winding 
those  which  cannot  be  moved  with  cloth.  Then 
proceed  according  to  directions  for  fumigating  the 
closet,  using  a  pound  of  sulphur  for  a  room  of 
average  size.  If  the  room  has  become  badly  in- 


THE    BEDROOM  207 

fested,  it  will  be  best  to  tear  off  the  wall  and  ceil- 
ing paper,  and  fill  all  cracks  and  crevices  with 
plaster  of  Paris.  Such  shreds  of  self-respect  as 
these  terrors  by  night  may  possess  cannot  long 
survive  such  treatment,  and  they  will  soon  depart 
to  that  country  from  whose  bourne  no  bug  returns. 


CHAPTER  X 

THE   BATHROOM 

WITH  the  subject  of  the  bathroom  before 
us,  it  would  seem  to  be  in  order  to 
promulgate  the  only  really  true  theory 
of  bathing.  But  this  is  not  a  treatise  upon  hygiene, 
and  the  world  already  has  been  flooded  with  advice 
on  this  subject,  ranging  from  the  urgings  of  those 
amphibiously  inclined  folk  who  would  each  day 
run  the  whole  gamut  of  splash,  souse,  and  scrub, 
to  the  theories  of  the  dauntless  Chicago  doctor  who 
would  put  all  humanity  on  a  level  by  abolishing 
bathing  altogether.  So  we  shall  merely  discuss 
the  means  of  making  the  bathroom  attractive  and 
serviceable,  trusting  to  our  individual  good  sense 
for  its  proper  use. 

Everyone  has  heard  of  the  good  woman  who 
was  showing  some  friends  about  her  new  home. 
The  bathtub  was  an  object  of  special  pride. 
"  Why,"  she  exclaimed,  in  a  glow  of  enthusiasm, 
"  it's  so  nice  that  we  can  scarcely  wait  till  Satur- 

208 


THE    BATHROOM  209 

day  night."  We  may  laugh  at  her  naivete,  but  there 
is  a  good  deal  more  of  the  "  waiting  for  Saturday 
night "  proposition  than  is  good  for — some  of  our 
neighbors.  And,  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  more 
of  the  heroic  sort  of  bathing  by  faithful  devotees 
of  cleanliness  than  is  necessary. 

The  persistent  spirit  will  have  his  bath,  if  it 
has  to  be  with  bowl  and  sponge  in  a  cold  room. 
But  while  most  persons  are  persistently  cleanly, 
bathing  in  the  interest  of  healthfulness  should  be 
regular,  and  it  should  be  enjoyable,  and  it  cannot 
be  either  unless  the  bathroom  is  properly  equipped 
and  is  ready  for  service  when  wanted.  Even  at 
some  extra  cost,  it  should  be  made  possible  to  se- 
cure hot  water  promptly,  and  without  agitating  the 
whole  household,  at  any  reasonable  hour  of  any 
day  of  the  week.  No  family  that  we  ever  knew 
went  bankrupt  on  account  of  the  cost  of  hot  water 
for  bathing,  and  if  they  did  they  would  have  a 
pretty  valid  excuse. 

PLUMBING 

The  bathroom  is  the  heart  of  the  plumbing 
problem,  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  declare  that 
the  plumbing  is  the  most  important  feature  of  the 
house,  so  far  as  health  is  concerned.  Did  we  ex- 


210  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

amine  an  old  house  (one  of  even  ten  years  ago) 
with  a  view  to  purchasing  or  renting,  the  condition 
of  the  plumbing  would  be  a  first  consideration. 
If  it  were  not  safe  and  in  good  order,  we  should 
have  to  make  it  so,  for  of  course  no  one  who  is 
mentally  competent  would  take  any  chances  on 
such  a  menace  to  the  family  welfare.  And  to  re- 
pair antiquated  plumbing  is  an  ungrateful  task, 
while  to  replace  it  entirely  requires  both  courage 
and  a  willingness  to  let  go  of  one's  money  in  large 
wads. 

Now,  we  want  to  remember  that  we  shall  wish 
to  have  our  plumbing  satisfactory,  not  only  when 
the  house  is  new,  but  ten  years  later,  when  it  is  not 
new.  To  make  sure  of  this,  we  need  first  of  all  to 
know  something  of  modern  methods  and  equip- 
ment. Then  we  should  employ  a  capable  plumber, 
though  he  may  cost  us  more  than  the  merely  pass- 
able sort.  Finally,  we  should  supplement  good 
workmanship  with  the  best  materials.  It  may  be 
noted  that  after  the  supply  houses  have  evolved 
the  best  materials,  in  the  sense  that  the  materials 
are  convenient,  good  to  look  at,  and  perfectly  sani- 
tary, they  add  frills  and  decorations  that  bring  up 
the  cost  to  any  amount  we  insist  upon  spending. 
But  we  can  get  what  we  really  require  without 


THE    BATHROOM  211 

paying  for  the  frills,  if  we  exhibit  tolerable  ability 
in  the  selection  of  essentials. 

Open  plumbing  is,  of  course,  the  only  sort  that 
any  self-respecting  plumber  of  these  days  would 
consent  to  put  in;  if  he  hints  at  anything  else,  we 
may  well  be  suspicious  of  him.  Not  only  should 
the  plumbing  be  where  we  can  see  and  get  at  it, 
but  sinks,  lavatories,  and  tubs  should  have  no  in- 
closures  that  may  retain  filth  or  become  water- 
soaked. 

Sewer  gas  is  not  the  only  evil  to  be  guarded 
against,  but  it  is  the  greatest.  It  is  also  the 
subtlest,  for  in  some  of  its  most  deadly  forms  it 
is  inodorous,  and  usually  does  its  work  before  we 
become  conscious  of  its  existence.  The  poisonous 
gas  is  not  necessarily  generated  in  the  sewer,  but 
may  be  created  anywhere  in  the  pipes  that  obstruc- 
tions or  uneven  surfaces  permit  filth  to  accumulate. 
If,  however,  the  plumbing  is  modern  and  of  sub- 
stantial quality  to  begin  with,  has  stood  all  the 
tests,  and  is  accessible  and  fairly  well  understood 
by  at  least  one  member  of  the  household,  reason- 
able vigilance  will  obviate  practically  all  worry 
about  sewer  gas. 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 


BATHROOM  LOCATION   AND   FURNISHING 

Usually  the  bathroom  is  placed  in  a  central 
location  on  the  second  floor,  accessible,  if  possible, 
by  both  rear  and  front  stairways.  In  a  small  house 
the  upper  floor  is  always  advisable,  as  the  bath- 
room should  be  well  retired  from  the  living  quar- 
ters. Where  the  space  can  be  spared,  there  should 
be  a  closet,  however,  on  the  main  floor,  or  at  least 
in  the  basement,  where  it  will  be  readily  accessible 
from  the  back  part  of  the  house.  If  the  bath- 
tub is  popular  with  the  household,  it  is  in  con- 
stant use,  and  for  this  reason  the  closet  is  in  some 
cases  cut  off  from  it,  and  is  reached  by  a  separate 
door. 

The  principal  thought  being  to  eliminate  any- 
thing which  will  retain  water,  tile  or  rubber  floor- 
ing is  preeminently  best  for  the  bathroom.  If  wood 
is  substituted,  it  should  be  oak  or  maple,  thor- 
oughly oiled.  Nothing  should  rest  upon  the  floor 
to  prevent  any  portion  of  the  surface  from  being 
thoroughly  cleaned.  A  tile  wainscoting  is  almost 
indispensable.  Paper  will  not  stand  steam  and 
moisture,  and  calcimine  is  scarcely  better.  Canvas 
or  burlap  above  a  four-  or  five-foot  wainscoting 
makes  an  attractive  combination.  All-white  is  not 


THE  BATHROOM. 


THE    BATHROOM  213 

called  for,  but  light  tints  of  green,  buff,  or  terra 
cotta  will  give  a  softening  touch  of  color  without 
destroying  the  general  effect  of  immaculateness. 

Art  glass  in  the  window  can  scarcely  fail  to 
add  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  room.  It  may  be 
had  for  from  75  cents  to  $3.50  per  square  foot. 
A  rug  is  an  essential,  but  it  should  be  of  a  sort 
that  will  not  readily  absorb  and  retain  water. 
Speaking  of  the  window,  it  must  be  observed  that 
outdoor  ventilation,  without  disturbing  privacy, 
should  be  made  possible.  Often  a  bathroom  be- 
comes quite  suffocating,  and  with  weakly  persons 
the  danger  of  being  overcome  in  a  locked  room  is 
not  to  be  left  out  of  consideration. 

THE   TUB 

The  tub  may  be  of  enameled  iron  or  of  porce- 
lain. The  former  costs  very  much  less  and  is  al- 
most as  satisfactory  as  the  latter,  though  in  the 
cheaper  sorts  at  least  the  enamel  will  eventually 
crack.  Of  course  it  can  be  reenameled,  but  in 
most  things  for  the  home  there  will  be  enough  of 
repairing  without  counting  too  much  upon  the  ease 
with  which  it  may  be  done.  That  which  will  go 
longest  without  any  repairs  is  usually  best.  Still, 
as  between  the  two  kinds  of  tubs,  one  can  scarcely 

15 


214  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

make  a  mistake  either  way,  and  the  difference  in 
price  will  govern  the  decision  of  most  of  us. 

To  be  consistent  in  our  thought  of  keeping  the 
floor  clear,  we  should  have  a  bathtub  that  rests 
upon  legs.  It  should  not,  if  avoidable,  be  placed 
under  the  window,  and  if  it  can  be  several  inches 
from  the  wall,  it  is  more  easily  cleaned  on  the  out- 
side, and  the  space  next  to  the  wall  need  not  accumu- 
late— or  at  least  retain — soap,  towels,  and  sponges 
that  elude  the  grasp  of  the  bather.  Tubs  come  in 
lengths  from  four  to  six  feet,  and  cost  accordingly. 
The  comfort  of  a  six-foot  bath  to  persons  of  any 
considerable  elongation  is  always  manifest,  while 
a  four-foot  tub  is  merely  better  than  a  footbath. 
Where  hot  water  is  not  on  tap  in  unlimited  quanti- 
ties, five  feet  is  a  fair  compromise.  In  porcelain 
enameled  ware  a  tub  of  this  size  costs  from  $27  to 
$60,  without  fittings.  The  better-class  goods,  in- 
cluded in  this  range,  are  warranted  not  to  crack  or 
"  craze."  Porcelain  prices  are  almost  double  those 
mentioned.  If  we  want  stripings  or  pretty  flowers 
or  highly  ornamented  legs  for  the  tub,  we  will  be 
permitted  to  pay  for  them,  but  they  are  scarcely 
requisites  in  the  bathroom  economy. 

Waste  and  overflow  arrangements  for  the  tub( 
must  be  well  looked  after.  When  the  master  of 


THE    BATHROOM  215 

the  household  is  likely  at  any  time  to  turn  on  the 
water  for  a  dip  and  then  become  absorbed  in  study- 
ing the  latest  automobile  catalogue,  one  feels  safer 
to  know  that  the  superfluous  water  will  find  a  ready 
outlet  through  the  pipes,  rather  than  the  floors  and 
halls.  The  same  precautions  are  to  be  observed 
with  the  lavatory,  where  young  America  may 
choose  to  devote  himself  to  original  experiments 
in  hydrostatics  instead  of  performing  the  simple 
process  of  expeditiously  removing  the  grime  from 
his  digits. 

THE   LAVATORY 

Anything  that  is  all  of  one  piece  is  likely  to 
prove  more  lasting  than  the  other  kinds,  in  the 
lavatory.  There  are  various  combinations,  some 
of  them  including  handsome  marble  tops,  but  basin 
and  top  should  not  be  separate.  If  the  wall  is  tile, 
the  back  that  fits  to  it  is  not  essential;  but  if  the 
back  is  used,  it  should  be  of  a  piece  with  the  slab, 
bowl,  and  apron,  to  avoid  ugly  cracks  and  break- 
age. The  bracket  form  is  usually  regarded  as  most 
convenient,  as  legs  are  often  in  the  way,  unobtru- 
sive looking  as  they  may  be.  Another  method  of 
•ttachment  is  by  a  concealed  wall  hanger.  The 
jedestal  design  is  somewhat  more  artistic,  but 


216  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

additionally  expensive  not  only  in  the  beginning, 
but  afterward  in  the  event  of  damage.  Lavatories 
in  enameled  iron  cost  from  $16  to  $75,  including 
fittings  and  pipes  above  floor.  Some  people  like 
running  water  in  their  bedrooms,  and  a  private 
lavatory  is  certain  to  be  appreciated  by  visitors. 
Objection  has  been  made  that  the  introduction  of 
plumbing  into  the  bedroom  affords  a  new  source 
of  sewer-gas  poisoning,  but  with  modern  materials 
and  workmanship  this  need  not  be  feared.  For  the 
bedroom  the  supply  man  will  recommend  the  ped- 
estal arrangement,  costing  about  $50;  but  less  ex- 
pensive forms  might  serve.  Of  course  every  addi- 
tional outlet,  such  as  this,  increases  the  piping  bill 
and  outlay  for  labor. 

THE  CLOSET 

So  far  as  the  health  of  the  family  is  concerned, 
the  most  important  feature  of  the  bathroom  is  the 
closet.  Here  it  would  be  simply  folly  for  us  to  let 
any  consideration  of  dollars  prompt  us  to  substi- 
tute an  inferior  or  out-of-date  apparatus  for  the 
safe  kind.  It  would  be  better  to  sell  the  piano  or 
even  to  steal  the  money  from  the  baby's  bank. 

The  only  safety  against  sewer  gas  in  the  closet 
is  to  prevent  it  (the  gas)  from  entering  the  house, 


THE    BATHROOM  217 

and  to  make  sure  that  gas  from  the  water  pipes  is 
given  an  adequate  exit  and  compelled  to  make  use 
of  it.  The  old-style  washout  closet  was  a  pretty 
good  assurance  that  the  one  gas  would  get  in  and 
that  the  other  could  not  get  out.  The  siphon  closet 
of  recent  manufacture  seems  to  be  a  much  more 
dependable  sort  of  contraption,  though  we  need  not 
accept  as  gospel  the  makers'  assertion  that  it  is 
perfection. 

The  most  reliable  way  to  shut  out  gas  is  with 
water.  Even  in  the  old  closets  it  was  supposed 
that  the  outlet  pipe  would  be  kept  covered  with 
water,  but  as  one  could  not  see  where  the  water 
was  or  was  not,  the  supposition  wasn't  always  to 
be  regarded  as  proper  material  for  an  affidavit. 
Many  a  person  has  moped  around  and  growled  at 
the  weather  or  the  cook  or  anything  he  could  think 
of  to  blame,  when  it  was  the  cheap  old  plumbing 
arrangement  he  hadn't  thought  of  that  was  at  the 
bottom  of  his  misery.  Sometimes,  too,  we  think 
a  little  sewer  gas  is  preferable  to  the  plumber  and 
his  bill ;  but  that  is  a  very  silly  thought  indeed. 

The  siphon  closet  not  only  overflows,  but  it 
siphons,  or  draws  out,  the  contents  of  the  bowl. 
This  is  replaced  with  clear  water,  which  completely 
shuts  off  the  outlet  pipe.  Comparing  the  actions 


218  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

of  the  two  systems,  we  readily  see  the  better  cleans- 
ing power  of  the  double  action,  while  the  seal  on 
the  vent  pipe  is  always  evident.  A  good  siphon 
closet  costs  from  $30  to  $50,  and  unless  we  find 
something  still  safer  we  would  better  choose  it. 

The  low  tank  is  preferable  in  many  ways  to  the 
sort  that  is  attached  to  the  wall  near  the  ceiling. 
It  is  more  compact,  can  be  installed  under  windows 
or  stairways,  and  looks  better.  Besides,  it  is  not  so 
noisy  and  operates  with  greater  ease,  with  either 
chain  or  push  button.  The  extra  cost  is  slight. 

HOT  WATER  AND   HOW   TO   GET   IT 

We  have  named  the  essentials  for  use  in  a  bath- 
room. But  there  are  other  features  that  add  much 
to  its  convenience  and  attractiveness.  Some  of 
these  need  not  be  purchased  at  once;  in  fact, 
it  is  better  here,  as  elsewhere  in  the  house,  to  let 
many  things  wait  upon  a  demonstration  of  their 
need. 

A  bathroom  without  plenty  of  hot  water  acces- 
sible is  not,  as  we  have  previously  hinted,  likely 
to  become  a  popular  resort.  When  the  wash  boiler 
and  the  tea  kettle  have  to  be  heated  on  the  range 
and  brought  up  in  a  precarious  progress  that 
threatens  a  scalding  for  fingers,  feet,  and  floors,  to 


THE    BATHROOM  219 

even  hint  the  possibility  of  the  entire  household's 
insisting  upon  a  daily  hot  bath  suggests  lunacy. 
But  if  the  hot-water  tank  is  dependent  upon  the 
furnace  or  other  house-heating  arrangement,  sum- 
mer is  likely  to  find  it  out  of  commission,  with  the 
chief  element  of  a  good  bath  obtainable  only  with 
much  ado.  Then  some  special  means  of  heating 
water  is  required. 

There  are  many  devices,  most  of  them  using 
gas,  and  disposed  to  be  cantankerous  late  at  night 
when  all  but  the  would-be  bather  have  retired. 
The  gas  heaters  are  placed  either  in  connection 
with  the  water  tank  in  kitchen  or  basement,  or 
above  the  tub,  the  water  running  in  coils  over  the 
heater.  These  arrangements  are  speedy  and  com- 
paratively economical.  They  are  slightly  danger- 
ous, however;  not  that  they  are  likely  to  explode, 
but  from  the  fact  that  the  gas,  particularly  if  of  a 
poor  quality — which  is  usually  the  case — rapidly 
vitiates  the  air  of  the  room,  and  may  cause  fainting 
or  even  suffocation.  If  the  apparatus  is  properly 
adjusted,  and  one  makes  sure  of  the  ventilation, 
heating  the  water  and  admitting  fresh  air  before 
entering  the  tub,  no  distress  need  be  anticipated. 
There  are  also  gasolene  and  kerosene  heaters,  and 
an  electric  coil  placed  in  the  water  is  the  safest 


220  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

and  cleanest  but  not  the  quickest  or  cheapest  scheme 
of  all.  Its  cost  is  from  $5  to  $20. 

None  of  these  heating  attachments  is  sure  to 
prove  fully  satisfactory,  but  any  one  of  them  is 
likely  to  add  a  great  deal  to  the  serviceableness 
of  the  bathroom.  To  many  wholesome  people  one 
ideal  of  living  is  to  be  able  to  take  a  dip  whenever 
one  wants  it,  not  merely  when  one  can  get  it. 

A  seat  of  wood,  in  natural  finish  or  white  en- 
amel, is  a  handy  appurtenance  to  the  tub.  It  will 
cost  us  50  or  75  cents  at  a  department  store,  or  we 
can  pay  four  or  five  times  as  much  for  a  fancier 
quality  at  the  supply  house. 

BATHROOM  FITTINGS 

Of  soap  holders  there  are  innumerable  designs : 
nickel  plated  or  rubber.  The  latter  will  hardly  be 
chosen.  A  sort  that  will  come  as  near  as  any  to 
permitting  one  to  grasp  the  soap  without  sending 
it  to  the  far  corner  of  the  room  has  a  grooved 
bottom  and  is  retailed  for  45  cents.  A  sponge 
holder  at  the  same  price  will  keep  that  useful 
article  within  reach,  and  for  the  towels  there  are 
bars,  rings,  and  projecting  arms.  Nickel-plated 
brass  or  glass  bars  are  preferred,  as  the  rings  are 
elusive  affairs  for  both  hands  and  towels,  while 


THE    BATHROOM  221 

the  projecting  arms  are  usually  unsubstantial,  and 
if  placed  too  high,  constantly  threaten  to  stimulate 
the  artificial-eye  market.  The  bars,  if  strongly 
attached  to  the  wall,  sometimes  are  a  friend  in 
need  when  one  is  getting  in  or  out  of  the  tub 
or  regaining  equilibrium  after  balancing  on  one 
foot. 

A  mirror  of  good  plate  but  simple  design 
should  be  in  the  room,  not  necessarily  over  the 
lavatory,  but  better  so.  Nice  ones  may  be  had  for 
$3  or  more.  There  are  toothbrush  and  tumbler 
holders  galore,  and  some  one  of  these  arrangements 
will  be  found  useful.  The  kind  that  provides  for 
a  toothpowder  box,  and  has  numbered  compart- 
ments for  brushes,  is  best,  though  there  is  some- 
thing to  be  said  for  the  retention  of  such  articles 
within  the  private  domains  of  their  individual 
owners.  An  attachment  for  toilet  paper  may  be 
had  for  a  quarter  or  for  a  dollar,  and  a  workable 
one  is  worth  while,  as  is  a  good  quality  of  paper.  A 
glass  shelf,  costing  anywhere  from  $1.75  to  $12,  is 
almost  a  necessity,  but  there  are  better  places  than 
the  bathroom  for  the  medicine  cabinet. 

A  single-tube  shower-bath  attachment  of  the 
simplest  sort  is  a  lot  better  than  none,  and  need 
not  cost  over  50  cents.  The  more  adaptable  kind, 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

with  two  ends,  will  be  found  ticketed  at  about  $2. 
Thence  up  to  the  elaborate  fittings  at  $250  there 
are  many  variations.  Sitz  baths  and  footbaths  are 
rather  superfluous  in  the  ordinary  bathroom,  but 
we  can  spend  a  hundred  dollars  for  the  one  and  half 
that  for  the  other  without  being  taken  for  pluto- 
crats. 

A  very  fair  bathroom,  such  as  would  please 
most  of  us,  may  be  equipped  on  a  scale  about  as 
follows : 

Bathtub $36.00 

Five  feet  long,  three-inch  roll  rim,  por- 
celain enameled,  nickel-plated  double 
bath  cock,  supply  pipes,  connected 
waste  and  overflow  with  cleanout. 

Lavatory 30.00 

Twenty  by  twenty-four  inches,  porce- 
lain enameled,  slab,  bowl  and  apron  on 
four  sides  in  one  piece,  nickel-plated 
waste,  low-pattern  compression  faucets 
with  china  indexes,  supply  pipes  with 
compression  stops,  and  vented  traps. 

Closet 35.00 

Porcelain  enameled,  siphonic,  oak 
saddle  seat  and  cover,  oak  tank  (low 
set)  with  marble  top  and  push  button, 
nickel-plated  supply  pipe  with  com- 
pression stop. 

Total  for  main  essentials $101 .00 


THE    BATHROOM 

Tub  seat,  natural  oak $0.50 

Soap  holder 90 

Sponge  holder .95 

Toothbrush  and  tumbler  holder .75 

Glass  shelf ' 1.75 

Shower  attachment 2 . 00 

Mirror 3.00 

Robe  hooks 75 

Towel  bars 1 .00 

Toilet-paper  holder .50 

Towel  basket..  1.00 


Grand  total..  ..$113.10 


CHAPTER  XI 

CELLAB,  ATTIC,  AND  CLOSETS 

MODERN  city  and  town  life,  with  butcher 
and  grocer  so  conveniently  near,  has  done 
away  to  some  extent  with  the  cellar  of  ye 
olden  tyme — dubbed  one  of  the  aids  to  "  success- 
ful diplomacy,"  the  other  being  that  very  neces- 
sary adjunct,  a  good  cook.  Those  were  truly  days 
of  bounteous  hospitality  and  plenty  which  filled 
the  cellar  with  barrels  of  apples  of  every  variety, 
bins  of  potatoes,  bushels  of  turnips  and  onions, 
barrels  of  pork  "  put  down,"  corned  beef,  kegs  of 
cider  turning  to  vinegar,  crocks  of  pickles  and 
preserves  of  all  kinds,  quarters  of  beef,  pans  of 
sausage,  tubs  of  lard  and  butter,  and — oh,  fruits 
and  good  things  of  the  earth  which  we  now  know 
only  as  "a  tale  that  is  told."  But  the  cellar  of 
to-day  accommodates  itself  to  to-day's  needs,  for 
though  we  may  still  lay  in  some  commodities  in 
quantity,  we  know  the  things  of  to-morrow  can  be 
had  from  the  market  on  comparatively  short  no- 

224 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        225 

tice.  Nevertheless,  the  things  of  to-day — and  some 
other  things — must  be  carefully  stowed  away,  and 
the  deeps  of  the  house  made  hygienic,  for  as  the 
cellar,  so  will  the  house  be  also,  and  to  this  might 
be  added  that  as  the  floor,  so  will  the  cellar  be  also. 

THE  CELLAR   FLOOR 

In  country  places,  where  there  is  no  sewage  to 
contaminate  the  soil,  a  hard,  well-beaten  dirt  floor 
is  not  particularly  objectionable,  except  that  it  can- 
not well  be  cleaned.  Boards  raised  from  the 
ground  by  small  blocks  nailed  to  the  under  side, 
and  leading  to  bins,  cupboards,  and  furnace  room, 
should  be  laid  across  it  to  prevent  the  tracking  of 
dirt  to  the  upper  rooms,  and  these  little  walks  must 
be  swept  and  kept  free  from  dirt  and  dust.  If 
the  cellar  is  floored  with  boards,  the  flooring  should 
be  raised  sufficiently  to  allow  free  circulation  of 
air  beneath  it ;  but  the  only  strictly  sanitary  floor- 
ing is  of  concrete,  six  inches  thick,  covered  from 
wall  to  wall  with  Portland  or  other  good  cement. 
Cellars,  being  below  the  street,  and  therefore  re- 
ceiving some  of  the  surface  drainage,  are  prone 
to  dampness,  and  are  easily  contaminated  by  leak- 
age from  drains  and  sewers,  and  other  filth  com- 
municated to  them  through  the  soil.  These  condi- 


226  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

tions  are  largely  counteracted  by  the  concrete  and 
cement  flooring,  which  also  bars  the  entrance  of 
ants  and  other  vermin.  The  communication  of 
damp  cellar  air,  polluted  by  noxious  gases  from 
sewers  and  decaying  vegetable  matter,  to  the  upper 
parts  of  the  house  is  responsible  for  many  an  other- 
wise unexplainable  case  of  rheumatism,  consump- 
tion, typhoid,  and  other  diseases,  and  any  outlay 
of  time  and  money  which  can  render  the  cellar 
wholesome  and  immune  to  ravages  of  agents  ex- 
ternal and  beyond  our  control,  must  not  be  grudged. 

VENTILATION 

One  who  owns  his  home  can  adopt  preventive 
measures,  such  as  outside  area  ways  or  air  spaces, 
impossible  to  the  renter ;  but  certain  ounces  of  pre- 
vention are  available  to  all.  For  instance :  if  drain 
pipes  run  through  the  cellar,  have  them  examined 
often  for  leaks;  if  there  is  an  open  drain,  wash  it 
out  frequently  with  copperas  and  water,  and  give 
it  an  occasional  flushing  with  chloride  of  lime  or 
lye  in  strong  solution  to  destroy  any  possible  odor 
arising  from  it;  and  see  that  the  roof  drains  do 
not  empty  too  near  the  house,  thus  dampening  the 
cellar  walls.  Whitewash  the  walls  semiannually, 
not  only  for  sanitary  reasons  but  to  lighten  the 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS 

"  darkness  visible,"  and  above  all  else — have  suffi- 
cient ventilationl  A  perfect  circulation  of  air  is 
insured  when  there  are  opposite  windows;  but 
whatever  their  location,  all  windows  should  hang 
from  the  top  on  hinges,  or  be  so  put  in  that  they  can 
be  easily  removed  from  the  inside;  for  open  they 
must  be,  and  that  all  the  year  round,  except  in 
the  coldest  winter  weather,  and  even  then  they  can 
be  opened  during  the  warmer  hours  of  the  middle 
of  the  day  without  danger  of  freezing  the  contents 
of  the  cellar.  The  cellar  can  be  protected  from  in- 
vasion from  without  by  galvanized  iron  netting, 
and  wire  screens  will  exclude  the  flies.  Both 
screens  must,  however,  be  so  adjusted  that  they 
will  not  interfere  with  the  opening  and  closing  of 
the  windows. 

THE   PARTITIONED  CELLAR 

The  cellar  which  is  partitioned  off  into  small 
rooms  is  more  easily  cared  for  and  kept  in  order 
than  that  which  consists  of  just  the  one  large  space. 
Rough  pine-board  partitions  cost  very  little,  and 
one  to  shut  off  the  furnace  (provided  there  be  one) 
from  the  rest  of  the  room  is  absolutely  necessary, 
since  the  heat  which  it  generates  must  not  be 
allowed  to  spread  and  so  spoil  the  cellar  for  cold- 


228  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

storage  purposes,  for  warm,  damp  air  hastens  the 
degeneration  of  vegetables  and  meats.  Unless 
some  other  provision  is  made  in  the  cellar  plan 
for  the  coal,  a  strong  bin,  with  one  section  movable, 
should  be  built  for  it  in  the  furnace  room.  To  the 
posts  of  this  bin  hang  the  shovels — one  large  and 
one  small — used  in  handling  the  coal.  The  prema- 
ture burial  of  many  a  shovel  might  have  been  pre- 
vented had  its  owner  only  bethought  him  of  those 
simple  expedients,  hammer  and  nails.  A  strip  of 
leather  nailed  to  another  post  supports  ax  or 
hatchet,  while  near  by  is  the  neat  pile  of  kindling 
which  its  sharp  edge  has  made — perhaps  out  of 
old  and  useless  boxes  and  barrels.  These  must  not 
be  allowed  to  accumulate,  but  be  chopped  up  at 
once.  Logs  and  large  sticks  have  each  their  own 
pile,  while  chips,  sawdust,  and  shavings  take  up 
their  abode  in  a  large  basket  or  box.  The  ashes 
from  the  furnace  go  into  boxes  and  barrels  outside 
of  the  house. 

ORDER   IN  THE  CELLAR 

The  cellar  is  primarily  a  storing  place  for  food, 
and  not  an  asylum  for  hopelessly  maimed  and 
decrepit  furniture.  If  there  is  any  which  is  mend- 
able,  mend  and  use  it;  if  not,  consign  it  to  the 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        229 

kindling  pile  at  once,  there  to  round  out  its  career 
of  usefulness.  Odds  and  ends  of  rubbish  collect 
very  quickly  and  make  a  cellar  unsightly  and  diffi- 
cult to  keep  in  order.  If  necessary  to  keep  certain 
boxes  for  future  packing  purposes,  pile  them  neatly 
against  the  wall  where  they  will  be  out  of  the  way, 
or  else  send  them  up  to  the  attic.  When  there  are 
no  rooms  partitioned  off  for  their  accommodation 
provide  bins,  or  their  cheaper  substitutes,  barrels 
or  boxes,  for  vegetables  and  fruits — boxes  prefer- 
ably, since  they  are  more  shallow  and  their  con- 
;ents  can  thus  be  spread  out  more.  Vegetables 
and  fruits  should  be  looked  over  frequently,  and 
anything  showing  signs  of  decay  removed.  In- 
stead of  placing  boxes  and  barrels,  vinegar  kegs, 
irkins,  stone  jars,  etc.,  directly  on  the  floor,  stand 
hem  on  bricks,  small  stones,  or  pieces  of  board. 
When  so  placed,  they  are  more  easily  handled  and 
noved  in  cleaning,  and  the  circulation  of  air  be- 
aeath  prevents  dampness  and  consequent  decay. 

SHELVES   AND  CLOSETS 

A  swinging  shelf — double  or  single — held  by 
upports  at  the  four  corners,  securely  nailed  to  the 
oists  of  the  floor  above,  is  almost  indispensable  to 
he  convenience  of  the  cellar.  It  should  be  about 

16 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

three  feet  wide  and  from  six  to  eight  feet  in  length, 
and  may  be  covered  on  three  sides  with  galvanized 
wire  fly  netting,  the  fourth  side  to  have  double 
frame  doors,  also  wire-covered,  and  swinging  out- 
ward. Ordinary  cotton  netting  can  be  used  instead 
of  the  wire,  and  is  of  course  cheaper,  but  must  be 
renewed  each  year,  while  the  wire  will  last  indef- 
initely. And  so  we  have  evolved  a  cool,  flyless 
place  for  our  pans  of  milk,  meats,  cooked  and  un- 
cooked, fresh  vegetables,  cakes,  pastry,  etc.  If 
poultry  or  meat  is  to  be  hung  here  for  a  little 
while,  wrap  it  in  brown  paper  or  unbleached  mus- 
lin. Wash  the  shelves  once  a  week  with  sal  soda 
water  and  dry  thoroughly. 

A  windowless  closet  as  far  as  possible  from  the 
furnace,  and  best  built  under  some  small  exten- 
sion, thus  giving  it  three  cool  stone  walls,  is  the 
place  where  preserves  and  jellies  keep  best.  Label 
each  jar  and  glass  distinctly  and  arrange  in  rows 
on  the  shelves,  taller  ones  behind,  shorter  in  front. 
If  there  is  no  closet  of  this  kind,  a  cupboard,  stand- 
ing firmly  on  the  floor,  can  easily  be  built,  for 
preserves  must  have  darkness  as  well  as  coolness ; 
otherwise  they  are  apt  to  turn  dark  and  to  ferment. 
The  shelves  of  the  fruit  closet  must  be  examined 
frequently  for  traces  of  that  stickiness  which  tells 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS 

that  some  bottle  of  fruit  is  "  working  "  and  leak- 
ing. Pickles  keep  better  in  crocks  on  the  cellar 
bottom. 

Laundry  tubs  and  scrub  pails  are  usually  kept, 
bottom  up,  in  the  cellar.  All  articles  stored  there 
should  be  well  wrapped  in  strong  paper  and  se- 
curely tied,  and  it  will  be  found  a  great  conven- 
ience, especially  at  cleaning  time,  to  hang  many 
things  from  the  ceiling  beams.  The  cellar  should 
be  swept  and  put  to  rights  every  two  weeks,  cob- 
webs brushed  down,  and  all  corners  well  looked 
after.  Here,  as  nowhere  else,  is  the  personal  super- 
vision of  the  housewife  essential. 

THE  ATTIC 

It  is  with  a  lump  in  our  throats  and  an  ache  in 
our  hearts  that  we  turn  our  thoughts  wistfully 
backward  to  that  place  of  hallowed  memories, 
which  is  itself  becoming  simply  a  memory — the 
attic !  What  happy  hours  we  spent  there,  rumag- 
ing  among  its  treasures,  soothed  by  its  twilight 
quiet,  and  a  little  awed  by  the  ghosts  of  the  past 
which  seemed  to  hover  about  each  old  chest  and 
horsehair  trunk  and  gayly  flowered  carpet  bag; 
each  andiron  and  foot  warmer  and  spinning  wheel 
and  warming  pan!  Roof  and  floor 'of  wide,  rough 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

boards,  stained  by  age  and  leaks ;  tiny,  cobweb-cur- 
tained windows;  everything  dusty,  dim,  mysteri- 
ous! Where  is  it  now?  Gone — pushed  aside  by 
the  march  of  civilization ;  supplanted  by  the  mod- 
ern lathed  and  plastered  attic,  with  its  smoothly 
laid  floor,  which  harbors  neither  mice  nor  memor- 
ies. And  though  we  sigh  as  we  say  so,  the  attic 
of  to-day  is  a  better  kept,  more  compact,  more 
hygienic  affair  than  its  ancestor;  for  we  have 
grown  to  realize  that  sentiment  must  sometimes  be 
sacrificed  to  sense.  Whatever  comes  we  must  have 
hygiene,  even  at  the  expense  of  the  little  spirit 
germ  which  seems  sometimes  to  develop  best  in  the 
"  dim  religious  light."  For  we  cannot  forget  Vic- 
tor Hugo  and  Balzac  and  Tom  Moore  in  their 
attics. 

ORDER  AND  CARE  OF  ATTIC 

Frequently  so  much  of  the  attic  space  is  fin- 
ished off  for  bed  and  other  rooms  that  what  re- 
mains is  somewhat  limited,  and  cannot  be  turned 
into  a  catch-all  for  the  may-be-usefuls.  Indeed, 
only  such  things  as  have  true  worth  should  go  into 
it,  whatever  its  size,  these  to  be  carefully  stowed 
away,  like  things  together — boxes,  furniture,  win- 
ter stovepipes  with  their  elbows,  piles  of  maga- 
zines systematically  tied  together  by  years,  trunks, 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS         233 

etc.  In  each  trunk  place  its  own  special  key  and 
strap,  and  when  garments  or  other  articles  are 
packed  therein,  fasten  to  the  lid  a  complete  list  of 
ts  contents.  Upholstered  furniture  must  be  closely 
covered  with  old  muslin  or  ticking.  The  family 
ool  chest  seems  to  fit  into  the  attic,  as  well  as  the 
small  boxes  of  nails,  rolls  of  wire,  screws,  bolts, 
nd  the  hundred  odds  and  ends  of  hardware  which 
he  lord  of  the  house  must  be  able  to  lay  his  hand 
m  when  he  wants  to  do  any  tinkering  about  the 
ce.  A  semiannual  sweeping,  mopping,  and 
lusting  will  keep  the  attic  in  good  condition  if 
horoughly  done,  with  the  help  of  the  "  place  for 
very  thing,  and  everything  in  its  place,"  a  precept 
is  well  as  an  example  which  has  entered  promi- 
lently  into  the  upbringing  of  most  of  us.  Here  is 
nother  spot  where  corners  and  cobwebs  like  to 
lobnob,  and  such  intimacy  must  be  sternly  dis- 
ouraged.  If  old  garments  are  kept  in  the  attic, 
hey  should  be  either  packed  away  in  labeled  boxes 
>r  trunks,  or  hung  on  a  line  stretched  across  the 
oom  and  carefully  covered  with  an  old  sheet. 
This  line  is  also  serviceable  when  rainy  days  and 
ack  of  other  room  make  it  necessary  to  dry  the 
cashing  here.  The  modern  attic  is  for  utility  only, 
ind  so  its  story  is  soon  told. 


234  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

CLOSETS 

If  woman's  rights  would  only  usurp  one  more 
of  what  have  hitherto  been  almost  exclusively  man's 
rights — the  profession  of  architecture — she  would 
in  truth  become  the  architect,  not  only  of  her  own 
fortune,  but  of  the  fortunes  of  a  suffering  sister- 
hood, whose  great  plaint  is,  "  So  many  things  and 
no  place  to  put  them !  "  For  who  ever  knew  a  mere 
man,  architect  and  artist  of  the  beautiful  though 
he  were,  who  had  even  the  beginning  of  a  realiza- 
tion of  the  absolute  necessity  for  closets— large 
ones,  light  ones,  and  plenty  of  them?  In  his  spe- 
cial castle,  boxes,  bundles,  and  clothing  seem  to 
have  a  magic  way  of  disposing  of  themselves, 
"  somewhere,  somewhen,  somehow,"  and  so  it  does 
not  occur  to  him  that  his  own  particular  Clorinda  is 
conducting  a  private  condensing  plant  which  could 
put  those  of  the  large  packers  to  the  blush.  But  let 
him  have  just  one  experience  of  straightening  out 
and  putting  to  rights,  and  then  only  will  he  appre- 
ciate that  closets  are  even  more  essential  than  cozy 
corners  and  unexpected  nooks  and  crannies  for 
holding  pieces  of  statuary  and  collecting  dust.  If 
a  woman  could  be  the  "  &  Company  "  of  every  firm 
of  architects,  there  would  be  an  evolution  in  home 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        235 

building  which  would  lengthen  the  lives  and  shorten 
the  labors  of  "  lady-managers "  in  many  lands. 
When  that  comfortable  wish  becomes  a  reality,  let 
us  hope  that  "  Let  there  be  light "  will  be  printed 
in  large  black  letters  across  the  space  to  be  occu- 
pied by  each  closet  in  every  house  plan,  for  the 
average  closet  is  so  dark  that  even  a  self-respecting 
family  skeleton  would  decline  to  occupy  it,  evil 
though  its  deeds  are  supposed  to  be.  The  down- 
pour of  the  miscellaneous  collection  of  a  closet's 
shelves  upon  the  blind  groper  after  some  particular 
package  thereon,  gives  convincing  proof  that  ab- 
sence of  light  means  presence  of  confusion;  while 
it  also  invites  the  elusive  moth  to  come  in  and  make 
himself  at  home — which  he  does. 

THE   LINEN   CLOSET 

But  after  all,  it  is  a  blessed  good  thing  to  have 
ome  closets,  even  dark  ones,  and  proper  care  and 
attention  will  go  a  long  way  toward  remedying  their 
defects.  Clothes  closets  we  must  have,  china  closets 
we  usually  have,  and  linen  closets  we  sometimes 
have,  not  always.  To  the  housewife  who  possesses 
a  linen  closet  it  is  a  source  of  particular  pride,  and 
the  stocking  and  care  of  it  her  very  special  pleasure. 
Its  drawers  should  be  deep  and  its  shelves  wide  and 


286  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

well  apart — not  less  than  eighteen  inches,  and  even 
more  in  the  case  of  the  upper  ones,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  reserve  supply  of  blankets,  quilts, 
and  other  bed  coverings.  Arrange  on  the  lower 
shelves  the  piles  of  counterpanes,  sheets,  and  pillow- 
cases in  constant  use,  linen  and  cotton  in  separate 
piles,  and  those  of  the  same  size  together.  Wash- 
cloths and  towels,  heavy,  fine,  bath  and  hand,  have 
each  their  own  pile  on  shelf  or  in  drawer,  according 
to  room.  Shams  and  other  dainty  bed  accessories 
go  into  the  drawers,  one  of  which  may  be  dedicated 
to  the  neat  strips  and  tight  rolls  of  old  linen  and 
cotton  cloth,  worn-out  underclothing,  etc.,  as  they 
gradually  accumulate.  Where  no  provision  is  made 
for  a  linen  closet,  a  case  of  the  wardrobe  type, 
built  along  the  inner  wall  of  a  wide  hall,  answers 
the  purpose  very  well,  and  is  not  unpleasing  to  the 
eye  if  made  to  harmonize  with  the  other  woodwork. 
A  closet  of  this  kind  may  vary  in  width  from  four 
to  six  feet,  with  swinging  or  sliding  doors,  prefer- 
ably the  latter,  and  drawers  and  shelves,  or  shelves- 
alone.  Or  there  may  be  a  cupboard  above  and! 
shelves  below,  or  vice  versa. 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        237 
CLOTHES  CLOSETS 

Clothes  closets  of  this  description  can  also  be 
built  against  unoccupied  bedroom  walls,  the  objec- 
tion to  the  number  of  doors  thus  introduced  being 
offset  by  the  great  convenience  of  having  one's 
clothing  immediately  at  hand,  exposed  to  light  and 
to  view  directly  the  doors  are  opened,  for  we  find 
things  by  sight  here,  not  by  faith.  Angles  and  re- 
cesses which  have  no  special  excuse  for  being  are 
easily  converted  into  closets,  one  to  be  used  as  a 
hanging  place  for  the  various  brooms,  brushes, 
dustpans,  and  dusters  in  use  about  the  house. 
Brooms,  by  the  way,  must  never  be  allowed  to  stand 
upon  their  bristles,  but  must  either  stand  upside 
down  or  hang.  Another  nook  becomes  a  convenient 
place  for  hanging  canvas  or  ticking  bags  filled  with 
odds  and  ends  of  dress  goods,  white  and  colored, 
news  and  wrapping  papers,  balls  of  twine,  and 
other  pick-me-ups. 

THE  CHINA  CLOSET 

The  china  closet  is  designed  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  everything  in  use  on  the  dining  table,  with 
drawers  or  cupboards  for  linen  and  silver,  and 
shelves  for  dishes.  The  latter  should  be  arranged 


238  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

with  an  eye  to  artistic  effect  as  well  as  to  conven- 
ience, platters  and  decorative  plates  standing  on 
edge  and  kept  from  slipping  by  a  strip  of  molding 
nailed  to  the  shelf,  pretty  cups  hanging,  and  those 
of  more  common  material  and  design  inverted  to 
keep  out  the  dust.  Stand  the  large  and  heavy 
pieces,  vegetable  dishes,  and  piles  of  plates  on  the 
bottom  shelf,  and  on  the  next  cups  and  saucers, 
sauce  dishes,  small  plates,  etc.,  placing  the  smaller 
'dishes  in  front,  the  taller  ones  behind.  The  third 
shelf  may  be  devoted  to  glass  alone,  with  tum- 
blers inverted  and  bowls  and  odd  pieces  tastefully 
arranged,  or  to  both  glass  and  silver.  On  the  fourth 
shelf  place  such  pieces  of  glass  and  silver  as  are 
only  occasionally  brought  into  service.  Personal 
taste  and  convenience  dictate  to  a  great  extent  the 
placing  of  the  dishes,  but  absolute  neatness  and 
spotlessness  must  hold  sway.  No  other  closet  is 
more  prone  to  disarrangement  than  the  china  closet, 
where  the  careless  disposal  of  one  dish  seems  to 
invite  the  general  disorder  which  is  sure  to  follow. 
For  this  reason  it  demands  the  frequent  rearrang- 
ing which  it  should  receive.  Its  walls  should  har- 
monize in  color  with  those  of  the  dining  room. 
Small,  fringed  napkins  or  doilies  on  and  overhang- 
ing the  shelves  help  to  impart  an  air  of  daintiness 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        239 

and  make  a  pretty  setting  for  the  dishes.  When  the 
china  closet  does  not  connect  with  the  dining  room, 
but  is  a  "  thing  apart,"  its  shelves  may  receive  the 
same  treatment  accorded  those  in  the  pantry- 
white  paper  or  oilcloth  covering  and  valance. 

While  well-filled  linen  and  china  closets  appeal 
to  the  aesthetic  side  of  the  housewife,  clothes  closets 
speak  directly  to  her  common-sense,  managerial 
side.  If  she  had  a  say-so  in  the  matter,  their  name 
would  be  Legion,  but  she  must  not  think  over- 
hardly  of  the  few  she  has,  for  they  are  invaluable 
developers  of  her  genius  for  putting  "  infinite 
riches  in  a  little  room  " ;  while  the  constant  tussle 
in  their  depths  with  moth  and  dust  induces  a  daily 
enlargement  of  her  moral  biceps — and  her  patience. 
May  their  shadow  never  grow  less  (perish  the 
thought!). 

CLOSET  TIGHTNESS 

Before  anything  goes  into  a  closet  see  that  all 
the  cracks  in  the  floor  are  entirely  filled  with  putty, 
plaster  of  Paris,  or  sawdust,  for  otherwise  dust  and 
lint  will  accumulate  in  them,  and  there  the  beetle 
will  find  a  house  and  the  moth  a  nest  for  herself. 
Whiting  and  linseed  oil  mixed  well  together  until 
the  paste  is  smooth  will  make  the  putty.  The  plas- 


240  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ter  of  Paris  is  easily  prepared  by  mixing  the  pow- 
der with  cold  water  till  it  is  of  the  right  consistency 
to  spread,  but  it  hardens  so  quickly  that  only  a  little 
can  be  made  ready  at  a  time.  Or,  dissolve  one 
pound  of  glue  in  two  gallons  of  water,  and  stir  into 
it  enough  sawdust  to  make  a  thick  paste.  Any  of 
these  preparations  can  be  colored  to  match  the 
floor,  put  into  the  cracks  with  a  common  steel  knif  e, 
and  made  smooth  and  even  with  the  boards.  A 
better  way,  however,  seems  to  be  to  omit  the  color- 
ing and  give  the  entire  floor  two  coats  of  paint  after 
the  cracks  are  filled.  There  are  those  who  prefer 
covering  the  floor  with  enamel  cloth ;  but  try  as  we 
will,  it  is  all  but  impossible  to  fit  it  so  closely  that 
dust  and  animal  life  cannot  slip  under  it. 

CLOSET   FURNISHING 

The  floors  attended  to,  next  see  that  there  are 
plenty  of  hooks  screwed  on  the  cleat  which  should 
extend  around  three  sides  of  the  closet.  They  must 
be  at  a  convenient  height,  say  five  feet,  and  three 
inches  below  the  first  of  two  or  three  shelves,  to  be 
not  over  fifteen  inches  apart,  thus  making  at  least 
two  available  for  use.  On  the  under  side  of  this 
first  shelf  screw  double  hooks,  and  additional  hang- 
ing room  can  be  made  by  suspending  a  movable  rod 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        241 

across  the  closet  on  which  to  hang  coat  hooks  hold- 
ing garments.  Skirts,  waists,  and  coats  hold  their 
shape  far  better  when  disposed  of  in  this  way,  and 
can  be  packed  closely  together.  A  twelve-inch  piece 
of  barrel  hoop  wound  with  cambric  or  muslin,  and 
with  a  loop  at  the  center,  is  a  good  substitute  for 
the  commercial  hook.  On  the  shelves  go  hat  and 
other  boxes,  and  various  parcels,  each  to  be  plainly 
labeled.  A  chest  of  drawers  at  one  end  of  the  closet 
is  handy  for  the  disposal  of  delicate  gowns,  extra 
underwear,  furs,  summer  dresses,  etc.,  while  a  shoe 
bag  insures  additional  order.  The  soiled-clothes 
hamper  belongs,  not  in  the  clothes  closet,  but  in  the 
bathroom.  Too  much  emphasis  cannot  be  placed 
on  this.  The  odor  from  the  linen  pollutes  the  natu- 
rally close  air  of  the  closet  and  clings  to  everything 
it  contains. 

CARE  OF  CLOSETS  AND  CONTENTS 

Wash  the  woodwork,  drawers,  floor,  and  shelves 
of  all  closets  thoroughly  with  water  containing  a 
few  drops  of  carbolic  acid — not  enough  to  burn  the 
hands — and  wipe  dry.  Painted  walls  which  can 
also  be  washed  are  most  desirable;  if  calcimined, 
the  tinting  must  be  renewed  each  year.  If  furs  are 
to  be  put  away,  brush  and  beat  well,  and  then  comb 


242  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

to  remove  possible  moths  or  eggs,  sprinkle  with 
camphor  gum,  wrap  in  old  cotton  or  linen  cloth, 
then  in  newspaper,  and  tie  securely.  Moths,  not 
being  literary  in  their  tastes,  will  never  enter 
therein.  All  woolens  should  be  put  away  in  the 
same  manner.  The  closet  is  clean  and  sanitary 
now,  and  the  main  thing  is  to  keep  it  so.  All  gar- 
ments ought  to  be  thoroughly  brushed  and  aired 
before  hanging  away,  particularly  in  the  summer 
time,  with  a  special  application  of  energy  to  the 
bottoms  of  street  gowns,  the  microscopic  examina- 
tion of  one  of  which  revealed  millions  of  tubercular 
germs — not  a  pleasant  thought,  but  a  salutary  one, 
let  us  hope. 

It  seems  such  a  pity  that  the  sun,  that  great  de- 
stroyer of  bacteria,  cannot  shine  into  our  closets; 
but  until  the  new  architect  comes  to  our  rescue  with 
a  window,  all  we  can  do  to  sweeten  them  is  to  re- 
move the  'clothing  and  air  by  leaving  doors  and  ad- 
jacent windows  open  for  a  couple  of  hours.  An 
annual  disinfecting  with  sulphur  fumes  will  destroy 
all  germs  of  insect  life.  Use  powdered  sulphur — 
it  is  far  more  effective  than  the  sulphur  candles 
which  are  sold  for  the  same  purpose.  Stand  an  old 
pie  plate  or  other  tin  in  a  pan  of  water;  on  it  build 
a  little  fire  of  paper  and  fine  kindling,  pour  on  the 


CELLAR,    ATTIC,    AND    CLOSETS        243 

powdered  sulphur,  and  leave  to  smudge  and  smoke 
for  twenty-four  hours.  The  closet  must  be  sealed 
up  as  tight  as  possible,  every  crack,  crevice,  and 
keyhole  being  stuffed  with  newspaper  to  prevent 
the  fumes  from  escaping,  the  entering  door,  of 
course,  being  sealed  after  the  fumes  are  started.  If 
one  desires  the  sealing  to  be  doubly  sealed,  news- 
paper strips  two  inches  wide  and  pasted  together 
to  make  several  thicknesses,  can  be  pasted  over 
cracks  in  doors  and  windows  with  a  gum-tragacanth 
solution,  prepared  by  soaking  two  tablespoons  of 
the  gum  in  one  pint  of  cold  water  for  an  hour,  then 
placing  the  bowl  in  a  pan  of  boiling  water,  and  stir- 
ring till  dissolved.  This  is  easily  washed  off  and 
will  not  stain  or  discolor  the  woodwork.  Although 
there  is  an  impression  to  the  contrary,  clothing  may 
be  left  in  the  closet  with  entire  safety  during  the 
smoking,  provided  it  is  well  away  from  the  fire. 
Indeed,  clothing  needs  purifying  as  much  as  closet, 
and  an  occasional  disinfecting  will  help  on  the  good 
work  of  sanitation.  After  the  closet  is  once  rid  of 
moths,  tar  paper  specially  prepared  for  the  pur- 
pose and  tacked  on  the  walls,  is  effectual  in  keeping 
them  away,  for  they  seem  to  "smell  the  battle 
afar  off." 


CHAPTER   XII 

HANGINGS,  BRIC-A-BRAC,  BOOKS,   AND   PICTURES 

STEP  by  step  "  is  a  good  thought  to  hold  when 
we  reach  the  fancifying  of  the  house,  as  we 
only  do  after  days  of  planning,  nights  of 
waking,  over  the  must-he's.  And,  after  all,  these 
last  accessories  are  divided  from  the  necessaries  by 
but  a  hair  line,  for  it  is  they  which  give  the  home 
its  soul — that  beautiful,  spiritual  softness  and  ra- 
diance which  we  love  and  which  differentiate  the 
home  from  the  house  which  is  but  its  shell.  The  life 
and  spirit  of  the  home  should  be  one  of  growth  and 
development,  which  can  only  be  achieved  in  a 
proper  atmosphere  and  environment;  and  these  it 
now  rests  with  the  home  builder  to  supply  in  the 
radiant  harmony  and  softness  which  flow  from 
these  final  "  trimmings,"  which  not  only  create  but 
reflect  character. 

THE  CHARM  OF   DRAPERY 

Hangings  have  a  considerable  share  in  making 
the  home  atmosphere,  their  mission  being  to  soften 

244 


HANGINGS  245 

harsh  angles  and  outlines  and  warm  cold,  stiff 
plainness  into  comfort.  Window  curtains  act  as  an 
equalizer  in  bringing  the  very  best  out  of  both  light 
and  dark  rooms,  serving  at  the  same  time  as  a  par- 
tial background  for  their  contents ;  while  portieres 
are  not  only  aesthetic  but  useful  in  deadening  sounds 
cutting  off  draughts,  and  screening  one  room  from 
another.  "  Drapes,"  those  flimsy,  go-as-you-please 
looking  bunches  of  poor  taste  knotted,  cascaded, 
and  festooned  over  mantels,  pictures,  and  chair 
backs,  we  have  outgrown,  confining  our  efforts  in 
this  line  to  the  silk  draught  curtain  to  conceal  the 
inelegant  yawn  of  an  open  grate;  and  even  this  is 
being  supplanted  by  the  small  screen. 

CURTAINS 

Windows  must  be  curtained  with  relation  to 
their  shape  and  position  and  the  nature  of  the 
room.  The  lower  floor  of  the  house,  being  naturally 
the  heavier,  can  be  curtained  in  a  statelier  manner 
than  the  lighter  upper  story.  Here  is  the  proper 
place  for  our  handsome  curtains  of  Irish  point 
and  other  appliques  of  muslin  or  lace  on  net,  and 
of  scrim  with  insertions  and  edges  of  Renaissance, 
Cluny,  and  other  laces.  These  curtains  are  manu- 
factured in  three  shades — dark  cream  or  ecru,  light 

17 


246  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ivory,  and  pure  white,  the  ivory  being  the  richest 
and  most  desirable — and  in  simple,  inexpensive  de- 
signs as  well  as  those  costly  and  elaborate,  and  usu- 
ally run  about  50,  54,  and  60  inches  wide,  and  3^ 
yards  long.  The  applique  curtain  wears  better  in 
an  elaborate  all-over  design  which  holds  the  net 
together  and  gives  it  body,  cheaper  designs  which 
can  be  had  as  low  as  $8  being  coarser  in  quality  and 
pattern.  Nottingham  curtains  must  be  discredited 
among  other  imitations ;  they  are  well-meaning  but 
both  tasteless  and  cheaply  ostentatious.  Lace  cur- 
tains are  rarely  draped,  but  hang  in  straight  sim- 
plicity, most  of  the  fullness  being  arranged  in  the 
body  that  the  border  design  may  not  be  lost  in  the 
folds.  They  are  shirred  with  an  inch  heading  on 
rods  fastened  outside  of  the  window  casing  over 
which  they  extend,  and  care  must  be  taken,  if  the 
pattern  is  prominent,  that  corresponding  figures 
hang  opposite  each  other.  The  double  hem  at  the 
top  is  nearly  twice  the  diameter  of  the  pole,  with 
the  extra  length  turned  over  next  to  the  window, 
the  curtains,  when  hung,  clearing  the  floor  about  2 
inches.  They  usually  stretch  down  another  inch, 
which  brings  them  to  just  the  right  length.  There 
is  no  between  length  in  curtains;  they  must  be 
either  sill  or  floor  length.  Over  curtains  may  or 


HANGINGS 

may  not  be  used  with  the  lace  curtains.  They  are 
not  necessary  but  have  a  certain  decorative  value, 
particularly  in  a  large  room.  Raw  silk,  30  inches 
wide,  and  costing  from  $0.75  to  $1.50  a  yard,  is  the 
only  fabric  sold  now  for  this  purpose  for  drawing- 
room  use.  The  inner  curtains  may  be  simply  side 
curtains,  or  made  with  a  valance  as  well,  and  hang 
from  a  separate  pole  to  obscure  the  top  of  the  case- 
ment and  just  escape  the  floor,  covering  the  outside 
edges  of  the  lace  curtains  without  concealing  their 
borders.  The  over  curtain  should  reproduce  the 
coloring  of  the  side  wall  and  ceiling  in  a  shade 
between  the  two  in  density,  but  if  just  the  right 
tint  cannot  be  caught,  recourse  to  some  soft,  har- 
monious neutral  tint  will  be  necessary.  Lining  is 
not  used  unless  there  is  an  objection  to  the  col- 
ored curtain  showing  from  the  street,  when  the  lin- 
ing silk  or  sateen  must  be  of  the  shade  of  the  lace 
curtain. 

Almost  any  sort  of  pretty  net  or  scrim  curtain 
is  appropriate  for  the  downstairs  windows,  with  a 
preference  in  favor  of  the  more  dignified  lace  in 
the  drawing-room.  With  the  other  rooms  we  can 
take  more  liberty.  The  ruffled  curtain  is  sash 
length  and  looped  with  a  band  of  the  same,  or  with 
a  white  cotton  cord  and  tassel  at  the  middle  sash 


248  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

if  the  window  be  short,  otherwise  midway  between 
it  and  the  sill.  There  are  fine  fish  nets,  or  tulle  de 
Cadiz,  45,  50,  and  60  inches  wide  at  50  cents  a  yard, 
which  make  charming  living-  or  dining-room  cur- 
tains, edged  on  three  sides  with  the  new  f-inch 
fringe  or  fancy  edge,  at  5  and  10  cents  a  yard, 
which  comes  for  that  purpose ;  and  madras,  plain  or 
figured,  is  also  good,  a  pretty  combination  being  the 
fish  net  with  colored  madras  over  curtain.  Raw- 
silk  curtains  are  in  use,  too,  but  anything  which 
stands  too  much  between  the  home  dwellers  and  the 
air  and  light  is  best  avoided.  Silk  curtains  are  usu- 
ally trimmed  with  a  brush  edge.  Glass  curtains  are 
only  necessary  as  a  screen  or  to  soften  the  harsh 
outline  of  a  heavy  curtain,  and  must  be  as  trans- 
parent and  inconspicuous  as  possible,  the  right  side 
toward  the  glass.  They  are  sill  length,  shirred  to 
a  small  brass  rod  set  inside  the  casing,  and  draped 
if  the  over  curtain  hangs  straight,  to  maintain  a 
balance.  Those  used  on  windows  visible  at  once 
from  the  same  quarter  must  be  alike.  The  lace 
panels  with  a  center  design  which  we  sometimes  see 
in  windows,  but  more  frequently  in  doors,  are  too 
severe  to  be  either  graceful  or  ornamental.  The 
vestibule  door  is  best  treated  to  correspond  with  the 
drawing-room  windows,  with  an  additional  silk  cur- 


HANGINGS  249 

tain  to  be  drawn  at  night;  or  the  silk  curtain  har- 
monizing with  the  woodwork  of  the  hall  may  be 
used  alone. 

The  curtaining  of  bedroom  windows  has  already 
been  discussed  at  some  length.  Swisses,  dimities, 
figured  muslins,  and  madras,  either  alone  or  supple- 
mented by  a  valance,  an  over  curtain,  or  both,  of 
madras,  chintz  or  cretonne,  are  preeminently  the 
bedroom  curtains,  and  may  either  be  draped  or 
hang  straight,  depending  somewhat  on  the  shape  of 
the  window.  The  long,  narrow  window  needs  the 
broadening  effect  of  the  draped  curtain,  the  illusion 
of  width  being  further  increased  by  extending  the 
curtain  out  to  cover  the  casement,  while  the  straight- 
hanging  curtain  gives  additional  length  to  the  short 
window.  Frilled  curtains  are  usually  looped,  and 
seemingly  increase  the  size  of  the  room  by  enlar- 
ging the  area  of  vision.  An  extra  allowance  of  6 
inches  is  made  for  draping,  with  an  additional  inch 
or  two  for  shrinkage.  The  charm  of  simplicity  is 
always  to  be  borne  in  mind  when  curtaining  a  room. 

PORTIERES 

Portieres  must  serve  their  purpose,  which  is 
most  emphatically  not  that  of  "drapery"  in  the 
sense  in  which  the  word  has  been  so  much  used,  but 


250  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

of  convenience  and  utility,  beauty,  of  course,  being 
the  twin  sister  of  the  latter  nowadays.  Figured 
portieres  with  plain  walls,  and  vice  versa,  are  the 
rule,  the  coloring  blending  with  both  floor  and  walls 
and  coming  between  the  two  in  density.  Again  the 
neutral  tint  comes  to  the  rescue  if  difficulty  in  match- 
ing is  met.  There  is  almost  an  embarrassment  of 
riches  in  portiere  materials  in  plain  and  figured 
velours,  woolen  brocades,  soft  tapestries,  furniture 
satins,  damasks,  velvets,  etc.,  but  we  are  learning 
the  true  art  value  of  the  simpler  denims  (plain  and 
fancy),  reps,  cotton  tapestries,  rough,  heavy  linens, 
and  monk's  cloth — a  kind  of  jute — for  door  hang- 
ings. The  plain  goods  in  dull,  soft  greens,  blues, 
and  browns,  with  conventional  designs  in  applique 
or  outlining,  are  not  only  inexpensive  but  artistic 
to  a  high  degree,  and  are  easily  fashioned  by  home 
talent.  Plain  strips,  too,  are  used  for  trimming, 
and  stencil  work,  but  the  latter  requires  rather 
more  artistic  ability  than  most  of  us  possess. 
Whatever  the  material,  it  must  be  soft  enough  to 
draw  all  the  way  back  and  leave  a  full  opening,  but 
not  so  thin  as  to  be  flimsy  and  stringy.  The  por- 
tiere is  either  shirred  over  the  pole  or  hung  from 
it  by  hook  safety  pins  or  rings  sewed  on  at  inter- 
vals of  four  inches.  Double-faced  goods  have  the 


HANGINGS  251 

hems  on  the  side  on  which  they  will  show  least,  with 
any  extra  length  turned  over  as  a  valance  on  the 
same  side.  The  finished  curtain  should  hang  one 
inch  from  the  floor  and  will  gradually  stretch  until 
it  just  escapes — the  proper  length.  Single-faced 
materials  are  lined  to  harmonize  with  the  room 
which  receives  the  wrong  side.  Lengthwise  stripes 
give  a  long,  narrow  effect,  while  crosswise  stripes 
give  an  apparent  additional  width,  and  plain  mate- 
rials seem  to  increase  the  size  of  a  doorway.  Kods 
may  be  either  of  a  wood  corresponding  with  the 
other  woodwork,  or  of  brass,  with  rings,  sockets, 
and  brackets  of  the  same  material,  the  brass  rod 
to  be  an  inch  in  diameter  and  the  wooden  1^  inches 
or  more  and  set  inside  the  jambs. 

Portieres  are  also  of  service  in  softening  the 
opening  of  a  large  bay  window,  making  a  cozy 
corner,  or  cutting  off  an  awkward  length  of  hall. 
When  a  doorway  is  very  high  it  is  better  to  carry 
the  portiere  to  within  a  foot  or  so  of  the  top,  leav- 
ing the  opening  unfilled,  or  supplying  a  simple 
grille  of  wood  harmonizing  with  the  wood  of  the 
door.  A  pretty  fashion  is  to  introduce  into  this 
space  a  shelf  on  which  to  place  pieces  of  brass  or 
pottery.  Beaded,  bamboo,  and  rope  affairs  are 
neither  draperies  nor  curtains,  graceful,  useful  nor 


252  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ornamental,  and  are  consequently  not  to  be  con- 
sidered. 

Men  of  science  may  cry  "  Down  with  dra- 
peries ! " — but  we  members  of  that  choicer  cult 
known  as  domestic  science  stand  loyally  by  them, 
for  though  in  draperies  there  may  be  microbes, 
there  is  also  largess  of  coziness  and  geniality. 

BRIC-A-BRAC 

The  old-fashioned  "  whatnot "  with  its  hun- 
grily gaping  shelves  is  responsible  for  many  crimes 
committed  in  the  name  of  bric-a-brac,  and  calls  to 
mind  sundry  specimens  with  which  proud  owners 
were  wont  to  satisfy  its  greed:  the  glass  case  of 
wax  or  feather  flowers,  flanked  and  reenforced  by 
plush  photograph  frames,  shells,  china  vases  shin- 
ing "giltily,"  silvered  and  beribboned  toasters,  pea- 
cock-feather fans,  with  perhaps  a  cup  and  saucer 
bearing  testimony  to  our  virtue  with  its  "  For 
a  good  girl,"  and  other  fill-upables,  gone  but  not 
forgotten.  And  then  followed  a  time  when  mantels 
and  bookcase  tops  bore  certain  ills  in  the  way  of 
the  more  modern  painted  plaques,  strings  of  gilded 
nuts,  embroidered  banners,  and  porcelain  and  brass 
clocks  so  gaudy  and  bedizened  as  to  explain  why 
time  flies.  But  the  architect  has  come  to  the  rescue 


BRIC-A-BRAC  253 

with  his  dignified,  stately  mantel  which  repels  the 
trivial  familiarity  of  meaningless  decoration,  and 
the  bookcase  whose  simple,  quiet  elegance  is  in 
itself  decorative.  Blessed  be  the  nothingness  which 
allows  Miladi  to  build  her  own  art  atmosphere  un- 
tainted by  gifts  of  well-intentioned  but  tasteless 
friends. 

THE  GROWTH  OF  GOOD  TASTE 

The  germs  of  the  capacity  for  good  taste  are 
born  in  most  of  us,  but  must  be  sedulously  culti- 
vated before  they  can  rightly  be  called  taste,  and 
bric-a-brac  presents  the  best  of  possibilities  for 
their  development.  Begin  by  buying  one  piece 
which  you  know  to  be  beautiful — simple  and  refined 
in  outline,  choice  in  design,  modest  in  coloring,  and 
fit  for  the  use  to  which  it  is  to  be  put — live  with 
it,  study  it,  master  it.  It  will  take  on  many  unex- 
pected charms  as  you  grow  to  know  it,  and  when 
you  are  ready  to  select  the  next  piece  you  will  find 
that  the  germ  of  your  talent  for  discrimination  has 
quietly  become  other  ten  talents  and  grown  into  a 
reliable  ability  to  separate  the  chaff  from  the 
wheat.  Each  acquisition  will  have  its  own  peculiar 
individuality  which,  once  conquered,  means  a  lib- 
eral education. 


254  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

USEFULNESS  WITH  BEAUTY 

While  all  bric-a-brac  should  be  beautiful,  some 
certain  kinds,  such  as  lamps,  clocks,  and  jardi- 
nieres, are  also  essentially  useful,  and  these  have 
undergone  a  wonderful  transformation  during 
recent  years  as  a  result  of  the  movement  toward 
simplicity,  honesty  of  purpose,  and  fitness.  It 
would  be  hard  to  imagine  anything  more  incongru- 
ous than  the  porcelain  lamp  decorated  with  flowers 
of  heroic  endurance  which  blossomed  unwittingly 
on,  regardless  of  the  heat ;  or  the  frivolously  deco- 
rated clock  when  the  passing  of  time  is  so  serious 
a  matter;  or  the  gaudy  jardiniere,  whose  coloring 
killed  the  green  of  the  plant  it  held.  But  we  have 
grown  past  this.  Now  our  light  at  eventide  is  shed 
through  a  simple,  plain-colored  shade  of  porce- 
lain or  of  Japan  paper  and  bamboo  (if  one  cannot 
afford  the  plain  or  mosaic  shades  of  opalescent 
glass),  from  an  oil  tank  fitted  into  a  bowl  of  hand- 
hammered  brass  or  copper,  or  of  pottery,  of  which 
there  are  so  many  beautiful  pieces  of  American 
manufacture  in  dull  greens,  blues,  browns,  grays, 
and  reds.  These  lamps  are  not  expensive — no 
more  so  than  their  onyx  and  brass  forbears — and 
are  quiet,  restful,  beneficent  in  their  influence. 


BRIC-A-BRAC  255 

Jardinieres  we  find  in  the  same  wares  and  color- 
ings, which  not  only  throw  the  plant  into  relief  but 
tone  in  with  the  other  decorations  of  a  room  in 
which  nothing  stands  out  distinct  from  its  fellows, 
but  all  things  work  together  for  harmony.  Clocks 
no  longer  stare  us  out  of  countenance,  but  follow, 
in  brass,  copper,  or  rich,  dark  woods,  the  sturdy 
simplicity  of  their  ancestor,  the  grandfather's  clock, 
and  so  become  worthy  of  the  place  of  honor  upon 
the  mantel,  where  candlesticks,  antique  or  modern, 
in  brass  or  bronze,  also  find  a  congenial  resting 
place. 

CONSIDERATIONS   IN    BUYING 

There  are  so  many  vases,  jugs,  bronzes,  medal- 
lions, jars,  and  bowls  that  one  must  needs  walk 
steadfastly  to  avoid  buying  just  for  the  pleasure 
of  it,  whereas  each  piece  must  be  chosen  with  ref- 
erence to  the  place  it  is  to  occupy  and  to  its  asso- 
ciates. Any  piece  of  genuine  Japanese  art  ware, 
of  which  Cloisonne  is  perhaps  the  best  known ;  old 
or  ancestral  china;  objects  of  historical  interest; 
different  examples  of  American  pottery,  among 
others  the  Grueby,  Van  Briggle,  and  Teco,  with 
their  soft,  dull  glazes,  and  the  Eookwood  with  its 
brilliantly  glazed  rich,  mellow  browns,  its  deli- 


256  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

cately  tinted  dull  Iris  glaze,  and  other  styles  which 
are  being  brought  out;  Wedgwood  with  its  cameo- 
like  reliefs;  the  rainbow- tinted  Favrile  glass;  the 
Copenhagen  in  dull  blues  and  grays — all  these  em- 
body, each  in  its  individual  way,  the  requirements 
of  art  bric-a-brac. 

But  the  brown  Eookwood  will  overshadow  the 
Copenhagen,  and  the  multicolored  Cloisonne  will 
kill  the  Iris,  and  so  each  piece  must  have  a  con- 
genial companion  if  any.  And  above  all,  don't 
crowd !  Bric-a-brac  needs  breathing  room,  and  in- 
dividual beauty  is  lost  in  the  jumbling  together  of 
many  pieces  in  a  heterogeneous  maze  of  color, 
which  confuses  and  wearies  the  eye.  All  the  fine- 
art  product  asks  is  to  be  let  alone — a  small  boon 
to  grant  to  so  great  worth. 

"  Tip-overable "  flower  holders  defeat  their 
own  ends — utility — but  there  are  many  which  are 
well  balanced  and  beautiful,  too:  tall,  wide- 
mouthed  cut,  Bohemian,  or  more  simple  glass  for 
long-stemmed  roses,  carnations,  or  daisies;  brown 
Van  Briggle,  Grueby,  or  Rookwood  bowls  for  nas- 
turtiums, golden  rod,  and  black-eyed  Susans; 
green  for  hollyhocks,  dull  red  for  dahlias,  gladioli, 
etc.,  flowers  and  receptacles  thus  forming  a  true 
color  symphony. 


BOOKS  257 

Parian  and  Carrara  marble,  immortally  beau- 
tiful, we  can  but  gaze  at  from  afar,  but  master- 
pieces of  the  sculptor's  chisel  are  ours  at  small  cost 
in  ivory-tinted  plaster  reproductions  of  the  Venus 
de  Milo,  the  Winged  Victory,  busts  and  medallions 
of  famous  personages,  etc.,  which  may  with  truth 
be  called  "  art  for  art's  sake." 

Dining-room  bric-a-brac  generally  consists  of 
whatever  occupies  the  plate  rail — an  interesting 
array  of  plates,  pitchers,  bowls,  jars,  cups  and 
saucers,  steins,  cider  mugs,  and  tankards.  And 
here  our  cherished  ancestral  china  finds  a  safe 
haven  from  which  it  surveys  its  young,  modern 
descendants  with  benignant  toleration. 

BOOKS 

A  spirit  of  friendliness  and  companionship  ra- 
diates from  a  good  book — a  geniality  to  be  not  only 
felt,  but  cultivated  and  enjoyed.  The  friendship  of 
man  is  sometimes  short-lived  and  evanescent,  but 
the  friendship  of  books  abideth  ever.  Paraphras- 
ing "  Thanatopsis  " : 

"  For  our  gayer  hours 
They  have  a  voice  of  gladness,  and  a  smile 
And  eloquence  of  beauty,  and  they  glide 
Into  our  darker  musings,  with  a  mild 
And  healing  sympathy,  that  steals  away 
Their  sharpness,  ere  we  are  aware." 


258  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

Truly,  a  book  for  every  mood,  and  a  mood  for 
every  book. 

THEIR  SELECTION 

The  true  measure  of  a  book  is  not  "  How  well 
does  it  entertain,"  but  "  How  much  help  does  it 
give  in  the  daily  struggle  to  overcome  the  bad  with 
the  good,"  and  as  one  makes  friends  with  muscle- 
giving  authors  the  fancy  for  light-minded  ac- 
quaintances among  books  gradually  wears  away. 
Although  different  tastes  require  special  gratifica- 
tion in  certain  directions,  yet  some  few  books  must 
have  place  in  every  well-balanced  library.  First 
always,  the  Bible,  with  concordance  complete  for 
study  purposes,  a  set  of  Shakespeare  in  small, 
easily  handled  volumes,  a  set  of  encyclopaedias,  and 
a  standard  dictionary.  Then  some  of  the  best 
known  poets — Milton,  Spenser,  Pope,  Goldsmith, 
Burns,  Wordsworth,  Keats,  Shelley,  the  Brown- 
ings, Byron,  Homer,  Dante,  etc.,  with  Longfellow, 
Eiley,  and  some  ethers  of  our  best-loved  Ameri- 
can poets — for  though  we  may  not  care  for  poetry 
we  cannot  afford  to  deny  ourselves  its  elevating 
influence ;  standard  histories  of  our  own  and  other 
countries ;  familiar  letters  of  great  men  which  also 
mirror  their  times — Horace  Walpole,  Lord  Macau- 


BOOKS  259 

lay,  etc.;  essays  of  Bacon,  Addison,  DeQuincey, 
Lamb,  Irving,  Emerson,  Lowell,  and  Holmes ;  and 
certain  works  of  fiction  which  have  stood  the  test 
of  time  and  criticism,  with  Dickens  .and  Thackeray 
heading  the  list.  Indulgence  in  all  the  so-called 
"  popular  "  novels  of  the  day,  like  any  other  dissi- 
pation, profits  nothing,  and  vitiates  one's  taste  for 
good  literature  at  the  same  time.  Therefore,  hold 
fast  that  which  is  known  to  be  good  in  novels,  with 
here  and  there  just  a  little  spice  of  recent  fiction; 
for  man  cannot  live  by  spice  alone,  which  causes  a 
sort  of  mental  dyspepsia  which  is  very  hard  to 
overcome. 

SETS 

An  appetite  for  "  complete  sets  "  is  a  perverted 
one  which  usually  goes  with  a  love  for  the  shell  of 
the  book  rather  than  its  meat.  It  is  better  far  to 
prune  out  the  obscure  works  and  buy,  a  few  at  a 
time  if  necessary,  the  best  known  works  of  favor- 
ite authors,  than  to  clutter  up  one's  bookshelves 
with  volumes  which  will  never  be  opened.  Partial 
sets  acquired  in  this  way  can  be  of  uniform  edition 
and  gain  in  value  from  those  which  are  left  in  the 
shop. 


260  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

BINDING 

Books,  like  our  other  friends,  have  an  added 
attraction  if  tastily  clothed.  Good  cloth  bindings, 
not  too  ornate  or  strong  in  color,  are  substantial 
and  usually  best  for  the  home  library.  Real 
leather  bindings  of  morocco  or  pigskin  are  rich 
and  suggestive  of  good  food  within,  but  imitation 
leather  must  join  other  domestic  outcasts.  Though 
it  may  look  well  at  first  it  soon  shows  its  quality  of 
shabby-genteel.  Calf  has  deteriorated  because  of 
the  modern  quick  method  of  tanning  by  the  use  of 
acids,  which  dries  the  skin  and  causes  it  to  crack. 
Books  in  party  attire  of  white  paper  and  parch- 
ment and  very  delicate  colors  are  not  good  com- 
rades, for  the  paper  cover  which  must  be  put  on  to 
protect  the  binding  is  a  nuisance,  while  without  it 
"  touch  me  not "  seems  to  be  written  all  over  the 
book.  Our  best  book  friends  are  not  of  this  kind, 
but  permit  us  to  be  on  terms  of  friendly  intimacy 
with  them,  receiving  as  their  reward  all  due  meed 
of  courteous  treatment.  There  can  be  no  true  rev- 
erence for  books  in  the  heart  of  the  vandal  who 
leaves  marks  of  disrespectful  soiled  fingers  on  their 
pages,  turns  down  their  leaves,  and  breaks  their 
backs  by  laying  them  open,  face  down. 


BOOKS  261 

PAPER 

Their  paper  should  be  of  a  good  quality,  not  too 
heavy,  and  the  type  clear,  both  of  which  conditions 
usually  obtain  in  an  average-priced  book.  Their 
housing  has  much  to  do  with  their  preservation. 
Dampness  is,  perhaps,  their  deadliest  enemy,  not 
only  rotting  and  loosening  the  covers,  but  mildew- 
ing the  leaves  and  taking  out  the  "  size "  which 
gives  them  body.  An  outside  wall  is  always  more 
or  less  damp,  and  for  this  reason  the  bookcase  must 
stand  out  from  it  at  least  a  foot,  if  it  stands  there 
at  all,  and  preferably  at  right  angles  to  it.  Dust  is 
also  an  insidious  enemy,  from  which,  in  very  sooty, 
dirty  localities,  glass  doors  afford  the  best  protec- 
tion. These  must  be  left  open  occasionally  to  ven- 
tilate the  case,  for  books  must  have  air  and  light  to 
keep  them  fresh  and  sweet  and  free  from  damp- 
ness, but  not  sun  to  fade  their  covers.  Intense  arti- 
ficial heat  also  affects  them  badly,  wherefore,  the 
upper  part  of  the  room  being  the  hotter,  cases 
should  never  be  more  than  eight  feet  high,  the  use 
of  window  seat  and  other  low  cases  having  very 
decided  advantages,  apart  from  their  decorative 
value.  Whatever  the  design  of  the  case — and,  of 
course,  it  must  harmonize  with  the  other  wood  of 

18 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

the  room — its  shelves  must  be  easily  adjustable  to 
books  of  different  heights,  standing  in  compact 
rows  and  not  half  opened  to  become  permanently 
warped  and  spoiled.  Varnished  or  painted  shelves 
grow  sticky  with  heat  and  form  a  strong  attach- 
ment for  their  contents.  The  bookcase  curtain  is 
useful  more  as  a  protection  against  dust  than  as 
an  art  adjunct,  for  there  is  nothing  more  delightful 
to  the  cultivated  eye  than  the  brave  front  presented 
by  even,  symmetrical  rows  of  well-bound  volumes, 
so  suggestive  of  hours  of  profitable  companion- 
ship. All  the  books  must  be  taken  down  frequently 
and  first  beaten  separately,  then  in  pairs,  and 
dusted,  top  and  covers,  with  a  soft  brush  or  a  small 
feather  duster. 

"  The  true  University  of  these  days  is  a  Collec- 
tion of  Books,"  and  one's  education  cannot  begin 
too  early. 

PICTURES 

So  many  homes  combining  taste  and  elegance 
and  refinement  in  their  furnishing,  still  impress 
one  with  the  feeling  that  somewhere  within  the  lute 
there  is  a  rift  which  destroys  its  perfect  harmony, 
and  that  rift  is  not  far  to  seek — it  lies  in  the  pic- 
tures. Cheap  chromos,  lithographs,  and  woodcuts 


PICTURES  263 

have  small  excuse  for  being  in  these  days  of  fine 
reproductions  in  photographs,  photogravures,  and 
engravings,  and  their  presence  in  a  home  indicates 
not  only  a  lopsided  development  of  the  artistic 
sense,  but  an  indifference  to  that  beauty  of  which 
art  is  but  one  of  the  expressions.  Happy,  indeed, 
is  the  homemaker  in  realizing  the  necessity  and 
privilege  of  growing  up  to  the  works  of  artists  who 
have  seen  beauty  where  she  would  have  been  blind, 
and  felt  to  a  depth  which  she  has  not  known;  for 
in  that  realization  lies  the  promise  of  ability  to  rise 
to  the  point  where  she  will  at  last  be  able  to  feel  as 
the  artist  felt  when  he  wrought. 

ART   SENSE 

Mrs.  Lofty,  who  never  has  to  stop  to  count  the 
cost,  loses  the  valuable  art  education  which  our 
housewife  all  unconsciously  acquires  in  the  months 
which  necessarily  pass  between  her  picture  pur- 
chases— months  in  which  she  has  time  to  discover 
new  beauties,  fresh  interest,  deeper  meaning,  in 
those  she  already  has.  All  these  new  impressions 
she  carries  with  her  to  the  selection  of  her  next 
treasure,  and  the  result  will  probably  be  a  choice  of 
greater  artistic  merit  than  she  would  have  been 
capable  of  making  before.  So  long  as  there  is 


264  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

something  in  a  picture  which  impresses  her,  the 
fact  that  she  does  not  fully  understand  its  under- 
lying meaning  need  be  no  obstacle  to  its  purchase ; 
the  light  of  comprehension  will  come. 

THE   INFLUENCE   OF   PICTURES 

The  picturing  of  the  home  should  be  undertaken 
in  no  light  humor,  for  better  no  pictures  at  all  than 
poor  ones.  Little,  trivial,  meaningless  nothings 
are  like  small  talk — uninspiring  and  devitalizing — 
and  therefore  unprofitable ;  battle  and  other  excit- 
ing scenes  wear  on  the  nerves ;  the  constant  pres- 
ence of  many  persons  is  tiring  in  pictures  as  well 
as  out;  small  figures  and  fine  detail  which  cannot 
be  distinguished  across  the  room  cause  visual 
cramp;  and  the  rearing  horse  which  keeps  one 
longing  for  the  rockers  cannot  be  called  reposeful. 
Any  picture  in  which  one  seeks  in  vain  the  rest  and 
peace  and  quietude  and  inspiration  which  the  home 
harmony  demands,  is  but  a  travesty  of  art — domes- 
tically speaking.  There  is  probably  nothing  more 
rest-giving  than  the  marine  view,  and  next  come 
the  pretty  pastoral  and  cool  woodland  scenes,  while 
madonnas  and  other  pictures  of  religious  signifi- 
cance express  their  own  worth — just  a  few  choice, 
well-selected  photographs,  etchings,  and  engrav- 


PICTURES  265 

ings  of  agreeable  subjects,  with  a  painting  or  two ; 
that's  all  we  want. 


OIL  PAINTINGS 

Keally  fine  oils  are  costly,  and  no  house  can 
stand  more  than  one  or  two  at  most,  because  of  the 
impossibility  of  giving  them  the  correct  lighting 
and  the  distance  they  require,  without  which  their 
best  effect  is  lost.  Properly,  an  oil  painting  should 
be  given  a  wall  or  even  a  whole  room  to  itself,  as 
water  colors  and  colored  prints  seem  colorless,  and 
black-and-whites  cold,  by  comparison.  The  deep 
gold  frame  is  its  best  setting.  Gold  frames  and 
mats  are  usually  effective  on  colored  pictures  of 
any  kind  in  bringing  out  certain  colors,  dark  ones 
especially,  though  artists  are  growing  to  use  wood 
frames  filled  to  harmonize  with  and  throw  into  re- 
lief some  one  tone  in  the  picture,  the  mat  taking  the 
same  color.  Gilt  has  no  place  on  photographs, 
etchings,  or  engravings,  their  simple,  flat  frames  of 
oak,  birch,  sycamore,  etc.,  with  their  mats,  if  mats 
are  used,  toning  with  the  gray,  brown,  or  black  of 
the  picture.  Fantastically  carved  and  decorated 
frames  are  things  of  the  past,  both  frame  and  mat 
being  now  essentially  a  part  of  the  picture  and 
blending  with  it,  while  setting  it  off  to  the  best  ad- 


266  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

vantage.  Passepartout  is  an  inexpensive  substi- 
tute for  framing,  particularly  of  small  pictures, 
and  is  effectively  employed  with  a  properly  colored 
mat  and  binding.  White  mats  are  still  in  occa- 
sional use  for  water  colors  and  for  black-and- 
whites,  but  for  photographs  we  find  a  more  grate- 
ful warmth  in  following  the  tone  of  the  picture. 

ENGRAVINGS  AND   PHOTOGRAPHS 

Engravings  and  photogravures  most  satisfac- 
torily reproduce  paintings,  as  hand  work  always 
has  more  life  than  the  photographic  copy.  All  re- 
productions, however,  bring  the  works  of  world- 
famous  artists  within  our  reach,  and  enable  us  to 
be  on  intimate  terms  with  the  animals  of  Eosa 
Bonheur,  the  peasants  of  Millet,  the  portraits  of 
Kembrandt,  Rubens,  Van  Dyck,  Sargent,  and 
Gainsborough,  the  landscapes  of  Corot,  Daubigny, 
Dupre,  and  Turner,  and  the  madonnas  of  Raphael, 
Botticelli,  Bodenhauser,  and  Correggio.  Amateur 
photography,  with  its  soft  pastel  effects  in  black, 
green,  white,  red,  and  gray,  is  making  rapid  strides 
and  doing  much  to  advance  the  cause  of  art  in  the 
home.  The  hand-colored  photograph  is  acceptable 
if  the  coloring  is  true  and  rightly  applied,  while 
certain  charming  colored  French  prints,  so  like 


PICTURES  267 

water  colors  as  to  be  hardly  distinguishable  from 
them,  have  distinct  worth.  Then  there  are  the  re- 
productions of  our  present-day  illustrators,  in  both 
black-and-white  and  colors,  and  in  which  we  seem 
to  have  a  personal  interest.  Originals  are  always 
costly  and  hard  to  get,  the  exception  being  the 
obscure  but  worthy  artist  whose  fame  and  fortune 
are  yet  to  be  won.  The  carved  Florentine  frame  is 
a  valuable  setting  for  certain  colored  heads  or 
painted  medallions. 

SUITABILITY   OF   SUBJECTS 

Although  any  good  picture  may  be  hung  with 
propriety  in  almost  any  of  the  first-floor  rooms, 
heads  of  authors  and  pictures  having  historic  and 
literary  significance  seem  especially  suggestive  of 
the  library;  musicians  and  musical  subjects  of  the 
music  room,  or  wherever  one's  musical  instruments 
may  be ;  dignified  subjects,  such  as  cathedrals,  with 
the  game  and  animal  pictures  which  used  to  hang 
in  the  dining  room,  of  the  hall ;  while  we  now  pic- 
ture our  dining  room  with  pretty  landscapes  or 
anything  else  cheery  and  attractive.  Family  por- 
traits, if  we  must  have  them,  hang  better  in  one's 
own  room,  but  really  their  room  is  better  than  their 
company,  as  a  rule. 


268  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

HANGING  OF   PICTURES 

As  to  hanging  pictures,  the  main  thing  is  to 
have  them  on  a  level  with  the  eye,  and  each  subject 
in  a  good  light — dark  for  light  parts  of  the  room, 
light  for  dark.  Small  pictures  are  most  effective 
in  groups,  hung  somewhat  irregularly  and  com- 
pactly. All  pictures  lie  close  to  the  wall,  suspended 
by  either  gilt  or  silvered  wire,  whichever  tones  best 
with  the  wall  decoration.  The  use  of  two  separate 
wires,  each  attached  to  its  own  hook,  is  preferable 
to  the  one  wire,  whose  triangular  effect  is  inharmo- 
nious with  the  horizontal  and  vertical  lines  of  the 
room.  Small  pictures  are  best  hung  with  their 
wires  invisible,  thus  avoiding  a  network  on  the 
walls. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

THE   NICE   MACHINEKY  OF   HOUSEKEEPING 

"Solomon  Grundy, 
Born  on  Monday, 
Christened  on  Tuesday, 
Married  on  Wednesday, 
Took  ill  on  Thursday, 
Worse  on  Friday, 
Died  on  Saturday, 
Buried  on  Sunday. 
That's  the  end  of 
Solomon  Grundy." 

THIS  little  tale  serves  to  show  how  it  simpli- 
fies life  to  have  a  time  for  everything  and 
everything  in  its  time.  System  was  prob- 
ably a  habit  in  the  Grundy  family,  and  was  so  bred 
in  Solomon's  bones  that  it  never  occurred  to  him 
that  he  could  reverse  the  order  observed  by  the 
Grundys  for  generations  back  and  be  married  on 
Thursday,  for  instance.  And  yet  there  is  room  for 
conjecture  as  to  how  much  difference  it  might  have 
made  in  his  life  if  he  had  elected  to  contract  an  alli- 
ance on  that  day  instead  of  a  fatal  illness.  System 


270  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

is  a  fine  servant,  but  a  poor  master.  Simply  be- 
cause custom  has  decreed  that  Monday  shall  be 
wash  day,  Tuesday  ironing  day,  and  so  on,  it  does 
not  necessarily  follow  that  this  programme  must 
be  strictly  adhered  to  in  every  family,  or  that  the 
schedule  of  the  week's  work,  once  made  out,  cannot 
be  changed  to  meet  the  unexpected  exigencies 
which  are  apt  to  arise.  To  be  sure,  Monday  as 
wash  day  has  many  points  in  its  favor;  but  if  it 
must  be  postponed  until  Tuesday,  or  the  clothes 
have  not  dried  well  and  the  ironing  has  to  go  over 
into  Wednesday,  there  is  no  reason  why  the  whole 
domestic  harmony  should  become  "  like  sweet  bells 
jangled,  out  of  tune  and  harsh."  Although  order 
is  heaven's  first  law,  it  occasionally  happens  that 
it  is  better  to  break  the  law  than  to  be  broken  by  it. 
And  so,  when  the  young  housekeeper's  nicely  ar- 
ranged plans  for  each  day  in  the  week  are  suddenly 
turned  topsy-turvy,  let  her  take  heart  of  grace,  re- 
membering that  there  are  whole  days  that  "  ain't 
teched  yet,"  and  begin  again. 

MONDAY 

The  chief  objection  to  washing  on  Monday  is 
that  it  necessitates  sorting  and  putting  the  soiled 
linen  to  soak  on  Sunday,  which  not  only  violates 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING 

the  religious  principles  of  many  households,  but 
shortens  and  spoils  the  flavor  of  the  maid's  free 
Sabbath  evening.  Then,  too,  the  sorting  of  the 
linen  often  reveals  holes  and  rents  which  should 
properly  be  repaired  before  laundering  increases 
the  damage,  and  a  Tuesday  washing  makes  this 
possible,  with  the  straightening  out  and  readjust- 
ment generally  necessary  after  Sunday.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  longer  the  linen  remains  unlaun- 
dered  the  more  difficult  it  is  to  cleanse,  with  the  risk 
that  good  drying  days  may  tarry  and  the  ironing 
thus  linger  along  till  the  end  of  the  week,  which  is 
inconvenient  and  bothersome  all  round.  Therefore 
it  seems  quite  advisable  for  Mrs.  Grundy  to  wash 
on  Monday,  and  an  occasional  postponement  until 
Tuesday  will  not  then  be  a  matter  of  any  great  mo- 
ment. The  routine  work  of  every  day — the  airing, 
brushing  up,  and  dusting  of  the  rooms,  the  prepara- 
tion and  serving  of  meals  at  their  regular  hours, 
the  chamber  work,  dish-washing,  in  short,  all  the 
have-to-be-dones,  must  not,  and  need  not,  be  inter- 
fered with  by  the  special  work  which  belongs  to 
each  day.  There  are  hours  enough  for  both,  and 
rest  time,  too,  unless  the  housekeeper  or  maid  be 
cut  after  the  pattern  of  Chaucer's  Sergeant  of  the 
Law: 


272  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

"Nowher  so  bisy  a  man  as  he  ther  nas, 
And  yet  he  semed  bisier  than  he  was." 

Wash  day  is  always  somewhat  of  an  ordeal,  and 
a  long  pull,  a  strong  pull,  and  a  pull  all  together  is 
necessary  to  carry  it  successfully  through.  A  sim- 
ple breakfast  will  give  the  maid  an  opportunity  to 
sort  and  put  the  clothes  to  soak,  if  this  was  not 
done  the  night  previous,  heat  water  for  the  wash- 
ing, and  perhaps  prepare  vegetables  for  the  day's 
meals,  before  breakfast  is  served;  and  if  her  mis- 
tress lends  a  helping  hand  with  the  dishes,  dusting, 
or  other  regular  work  of  the  day,  she  can  go  to  her 
tubs  just  that  much  earlier.  Getting  up  in  the  wee 
sma'  hours  and  working  by  early  candle  light  is 
misdirected  ambition.  The  maid  needs  her  rest  to 
fit  her  for  her  day's  labors,  and  washing  well  done 
requires  the  light  of  day.  Set  the  breakfast  hour 
ahead  half  an  hour  and  so  gain  a  little  extra  time. 
Foresight  and  extra  planning  on  Saturday  will 
provide  certain  left-overs  from  Sunday's  meals 
which  can  be  quickly  and  easily  transformed  into 
Monday's  luncheon.  Dinner,  too,  should  be  a  sim- 
ple meal,  but  don't  add  to  the  other  trials  of  the  day 
cold  comfort  at  meal  time.  A  smoking-hot  dinner 
has  a  certain  heartening  influence  to  which  we  are 
all  more  or  less  susceptible.  The  doors  leading 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING       273 

from  the  room  in  which  the  washing  is  done  must 
be  kept  closed  to  exclude  the  steamy  odor  from  the 
rest  of  the  house,  and  the  maid  allowed  to  proceed 
with  her  work  without  interruption.  By  eleven 
o'clock  she  will  probahly  have  reached  a  point 
where  she  can  stop  to  prepare  luncheon.  If  the 
family  is  very  small,  she  can  frequently  do  not  only 
the  washing  but  considerable  of  the  ironing  as  well 
on  Monday,  but  that  is  crowding  things  a  little  too 
much.  After  the  washing  is  accomplished  the  line 
should  be  drawn  at  what  must  be  done,  and  nothing 
which  is  not  absolutely  necessary  put  into  the  few 
remaining  hours  of  the  day,  for  the  maid's  back 
and  arms  have  had  quite  enough  exercise  for  the 
time  being.  If  a  laundress  is  employed,  the  clean- 
ing of  the  kitchen  floor  and  the  laundry  and  the 
ironing  should  be  about  accomplished  by  night,  un- 
less it  seems  best  to  have  her  clean  and  do  other 
extra  work  after  the  washing  is  finished.  If  the 
housewife  is  her  own  laundress,  she  must  acquire 
the  gentle  art  of  letting  things  go  on  the  hard  days, 
for  she  cannot  possibly  be  laundress,  maid,  and 
house-mother  all  in  one,  and  her  health  and  well- 
being  are  of  prime  importance. 


274  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

TUESDAY 

The  washing  being  done  on  Monday,  it  natu- 
rally follows  that  Mrs.  Gmndy  irons  on  Tuesday, 
after  the  regular  routine  work  has  been  dispatched, 
The  first  thought  is  the  fire,  if  the  ironing  is  done 
by  a  coal  range.  After  breakfast  is  prepared  the 
fire  box  should  be  filled  with  coal  to  the  top  of  the 
lining,  and  draughts  opened,  to  be  closed  as  soon 
as  the  surface  coal  begins  to  burn  red,  the  top  of  the 
'stove  brushed  off,  and  the  irons  set  on  to  heat.  This 
is  a  good  place  to  sandwich  in  a  little  baking,  before 
the  fire  becomes  too  hot  for  cakes  or  delicate  pas- 
try. If  the  maid  feels  that  she  must  devote  this 
time  to  the  preparation  of  vegetables,  or  to  other 
work  which  is  liable  to  interfere  with  her  work 
later  on,  madam  may  choose  to  step  into  the  breach 
and  try  her  hand  at  sundry  delectables  for  the  iron- 
ing-day luncheon  or  dinner,  both  meals  being  as 
simple  as  consistent  with  comfort  and  health.  The 
ironing,  once  commenced,  should  continue  uninter- 
ruptedly until  time  to  prepare  luncheon,  when  the 
irons  are  pushed  back  and  the  fire  shaken  or  raked 
and  replenished.  By  this  time  the  clothes  bars 
should  begin  to  take  on  a  comfortable  look  of  full- 
ness. It  is  well  to  keep  them  covered  with  cheese- 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING       275 

iloth  as  a  protection  from  dust  and  soot  and,  in 

[summer,  fly  specks.  If  any  frying  is  to  be  done,  set 
;he  bars  in  another  room  until  it  is  over  and  the 
itchen  thoroughly  aired,  otherwise  the  odor  will 
ling  to  the  clothes.  After  luncheon  the  range  is 
leaned  and  the  irons  drawn  forward  to  heat  for 
:he  afternoon  session ;  and  by  the  time  the  table  is 
beared,  dishes  washed,  and  kitchen  brushed  up, 
>th  they  and  the  maid  are  ready  for  the  renewed 
inslaught.  Though  it  may  occasionally  run  over 

[into  the  next  day,  the  average  ironing  ought  to  be 
unpleted  during  the  afternoon  and  remain  well 
spread  out  on  the  bars  overnight  to  dry  and  air. 
'uesday,  though  a  full  day,  is  so  clean  and  neat 
;hat  there  is  no  reason  why  the  maid  should  not 
:eep  herself  equally  so  and  be  ready  to  serve  the 
;able  and  attend  the  door  without  further  prepara- 

jition  than  slipping  on  her  white  apron — and  cap,  if 

tahe  wears  one. 

WEDNESDAY 

On  Wednesday  Mrs.  Grundy  mends  and  puts 
away  the  clean  clothes  and  picks  up  some  of  the 
[household  stitches  which  had  to  be  dropped  on  the 
two  preceding  days.  The  kitchen  must  be  put  in 
order,  the  refrigerator  must  have  its  semiweekly 


276  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

cleaning,  and  the  ashes  which  have  accumulated  ii 
the  stove  removed,  a  new  fire  built,  and  the  heart!  • 
washed.    While  the  oven  is  heating  for  the  mid- 
week baking  there  are  vestibules  and  porches  tc* 
wash,  walks  to  sweep,  the  cellar  to  investigate,  and  il 
a  dozen  little  odds  and  ends  to  attend  to  which,  witt 
the  baking,  make  a  busy  morning.    The  cleaning  oi 
silver  dovetails  nicely  with  the  Wednesday  work 
and  during  the  canning  season  the  preserving  oi 
fruit  can  be  done  at  this  time  with  the  least  inter- ! 
ference  with  the  other  work  of  the  house,  though 
when  it  becomes  a  case  of  the  fruit  being  ripe,  other 
work  must  give  way  for  the  nonce.     In   short, 
Wednesday  is  the  general  weekly  catch-all  into- 
which  go  all  the  odd  jobs  for  which  room  cannot  be 
found  elsewhere. 

THURSDAY 

It  is  Mrs.  Grundy's  theory,  strengthened  by 
practical  experience,  that  it  is  better  to  extend  the 
weekly  sweeping  and  cleaning  over  two  days  than 
to  condense  it  all  into  one ;  and  so  Phyllis  takes  the 
bedroom  cleaning  as  her  special  Thursday  work, 
and  armed  with  broom,  dustpan,  pail,  and  cleaning 
cloths,  she  ascends  to  the  upper  regions  as  soon  as 
she  has  reduced  the  lower  to  their  everyday  nicety. 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING       277 

The  daily  brushing  up  with  broom  or  carpet 
sweeper  removes  the  surface  dirt,  but  sweeping 
day  means  a  good  "  digging  out."  She  commences 
operations  by  sweeping  out  the  closet  and  wiping 
off  the  floor  with  a  cloth  wrung  out  of  hot  borax 
water.  Then  she  brushes  down,  rolls  or  folds  all 
curtains  and  draperies,  and  fastens  them  up  as 
near  the  pole  as  possible,  perhaps  slipping  a  case 
over  each  as  a  protection  from  the  dust.  If  the  bed 
is  hung  with  a  valance,  that,  too,  is  pinned  up.  All 
small  toilet  articles  and  knicknacks  are  dusted  and 
placed  on  the  bed,  and  covered  with  a  dust  sheet  of 
coarse  unbleached  muslin,  or  calico ;  bowl,  pitcher, 
and  other  crockery  are  washed  and  dried,  inside 
and  out,  and  placed  in  the  closet,  with  dresser  and 
stand  covers,  which  have  been  shaken  out  of  the 
window.  These,  if  soiled,  are  relegated  to  the 
clothes  hamper,  to  be  replaced  by  fresh  ones. 
Chairs  and  easily  moved  articles  of  furniture  are 
dusted  and  set  outside  of  the  room.  If  there  is  a 
fire  the  ashes  are  carefully  removed  and  brushed 
from  the  stove;  the  windows  are  opened  unless 
there  is  a  strong  wind,  when  they  are  opened  a 
little  after  the  cleaning  is  done,  and  the  sweeping 
begins. 

The  broom  should  be  of  about  medium  weight, 

19 


278  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

held  almost  perpendicularly  and  passed  over  the 
carpet  with  a  long,  light  stroke  and  steady  pressure 
which  will  not  scatter  the  dirt,  and  turned  every 
few  strokes  that  both  sides  may  receive  equal 
wear.  Steps  can  be  saved  by  sweeping  to  a  central 
point,  going  with  the  nap  of  the  carpet,  never 
against  it,  taking  special  care  to  dislodge  the  dust 
which  gathers  between  the  edges  of  the  carpet  and 
the  baseboard.  Shreds  of  dampened  paper,  or 
damp  bran  scattered  over  the  carpet  facilitate  its 
cleaning ;  or  in  lieu  of  these  the  broom  may  be  wet 
and  shaken  as  free  from  water  as  possible  before 
using.  Any  method  of  keeping  down  the  dust 
saves  much  cleaning  of  woodwork,  walls,  and  pic- 
tures. Eugs  are  swept  in  the  same  way  as  carpets. 
After  they  are  cleaned  the  edges  are  turned  up  and 
the  bare  floor  gone  over  with  a  long-handled  hair 
brush,  or  with  a  broom  covered  with  a  Canton- 
flannel  bag.  If  the  floor  is  painted,  follow  the 
duster  with  a  damp  cloth;  if  hardwood,  rub  well 
with  a  flannel  slightly  moistened  with  crude  oil  and 
turpentine.  Small  rugs  are  taken  out  of  doors  and 
shaken  or  beaten.  They  must  be  held  by  the  sides, 
never  by  the  ends.  Matting  should  be  swept  with 
a  soft  broom  and  wiped  over  with  a  damp  cloth, 
using  as  little  water  as  possible,  and  no  soap,  which 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING       279 

stains  and  discolors  it.  Kubbing  with  a  clotH 
wrung  out  of  hot  water  will  usually  take  out  the 
spots  which  the  regular  cleaning  has  failed  to  re- 
move, while  grease  spots  yield  to  the  application  of 
a  thin  paste  of  fuller's  earth  left  for  three  days 
and  then  brushed  off.  Rooms  not  in  daily  use  do 
not  need  a  thorough  sweeping  oftener  than  every 
two  weeks,  a  whisk  broom  and  carpet  sweeper  suf- 
ficing between  times. 

While  the  dust  is  settling  put  a  fresh  bag  or  a 
clean,  soft  duster  on  the  broom  and  brush  off  ceil- 
ing and  walls,  using  a  straight  downward  stroke 
for  the  latter.  The  cloth  must  be  renewed  when  it 
becomes  soiled.  A  long-handled  feather  duster  is 
handy  for  cleaning  moldings  and  cornices.  This, 
by  the  way,  is  the  only  legitimate  use  to  which  a 
feather  duster  can  be  put,  in  addition  to  dusting 
books  and  the  backs  and  wires  of  pictures.  Instead 
of  taking  up  the  dust,  it  simply  sets  it  free  to  settle 
elsewhere,  making  a  lingering  trouble,  long  drawn 
out ;  for  though  one  may  whisk  around  with  it  and 
then  enjoy  the  conscious  virtue  which  comes  with 
having  "  one  more  thing  out  of  the  way,"  the  com- 
placency is  short-lived  and  the  cheesecloth  duster 
finally  has  to  come  to  the  rescue.  All  dusters 
should  be  hemmed,  otherwise  the  ravelings  are  apt 


280  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

to  catch  and  pull  down  the  bric-a-brac.  After  the 
walls  Phyllis  dusts  the  woodwork  and  goes  over  it 
with  a  clean,  damp  cloth,  not  omitting  doorknobs, 
and  looking  out  for  finger  marks  in  likely  places. 
If  these  are  stubborn,  a  little  kerosene  in  the  clean- 
ing water  will  help  on  the  good  work.  She  brushes 
and  wipes  off  the  window  casings  and  gas  fixtures, 
dusts  and  replaces  the  furniture,  polishes  the  mir- 
rors, and  washes  the  windows  the  last  thing,  pro- 
vided the  sun  is  not  shining  on  them  at  this  time. 
If  so,  the  work  will  have  to  be  deferred  and  slipped 
in  with  special  work  of  some  other  time.  In  locali- 
ties where  there  is  little  smoke  the  weekly  washing 
may  be  dispensed  with,  dusting  off  each  pane  with  a 
soft  cloth  being  all  that  is  necessary.  In  freezing 
weather  this  is  the  only  cleaning  possible,  though  if 
the  glass  is  much  soiled  it  can  be  gone  over  with 
a  sponge  wet  with  alcohol ;  or  with  whiting  mixed 
with  diluted  alcohol  or  ammonia,  followed  by  much 
the  same  rubbing  process  employed  in  cleaning 
silver,  with  a  final  polishing  with  soft  paper,  tissue 
preferably,  which  gives  the  finest  possible  shine  to 
any  vitreous  surface.  If  there  are  inside  or  outside 
blinds,  they  must  be  well  brushed,  and  casings  and 
sills  which  are  much  soiled  washed,  before  the 
glass  is  cleaned.  The  requirements  for  successful 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING        281 

window  cleaning  are  a  third  of  a  pail  of  hot  water 
containing  a  little  ammonia  or  borax,  plenty  of 
clean,  soft  cloths  free  from  lint,  a  complete  absence 
of  soap,  and  a  decided  presence  of  energy — aye, 
there's  the  rub!  The  less  water  used  the  better. 
Instead  of  allowing  it  to  run  down  in  tears,  squeeze 
the  cloth  out  nearly  dry,  going  quickly  over  one 
pane  at  a  time,  following  immediately  with  a  dry 
cloth,  and  then  polishing.  Wrap  the  cleaning  cloth 
around  a  skewer  and  go  into  the  corners  and 
around  the  edges  of  the  glass.  Nothing  is  more 
productive  of  distorted  vision  than  looking  through 
a  glass  darkly.  Wherefore,  for  the  sake  of  the 
mental  as  well  as  the  physical  eye,  see  that  Phyllis's 
window  cleaning  is  a  success. 

After  the  bedrooms  are  in  order  the  halls  and 
passages  on  the  same  floor,  and  the  bathroom,  are 
swept  and  cleaned. 

FRIDAY 

On  Friday  Mrs.  Grundy's  living  rooms  and 
first-floor  halls  are  treated  to  their  weekly  renova- 
tion, which  is  similar  to  that  which  the  bedrooms 
receive,  only  there  is  more  of  it.  The  preparation 
of  the  drawing-room  for  sweeping  is  more  elabo- 
rate, containing,  as  it  does,  more  pieces  of  furni- 


282  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ture  and  bric-a-brac  to  be  cared  for.  All  movable 
pieces  are  dusted  and  taken  from  the  room.  Uphol- 
stered furniture  must  be  well  brushed,  going  down 
into  the  tufts  and  puffs  with  a  pointed  brush  sim- 
ilar to  that  used  by  painters,  and  pieces  which  are 
too  large  to  move  covered  with  a  dust  sheet  A 
vigorous  brushing  with  a  whisk  broom  will  be 
necessary  around  the  edges  of  the  carpet,  in  the 
corners,  and  under  the  heavy  furniture.  Mirrors 
must  be  polished,  glasses,  frames,  backs,  and  wires 
of  pictures  wiped  off,  and  fancy  carving  which  the 
duster  will  not  reach  cleaned  out  with  a  soft  brush. 
If  the  room  contains  a  marble  mantel,  it  can  be 
cleaned  with  sapolio  or  almost  any  good  scouring 
powder,  and  tiles  washed  with  soap  and  water.  The 
fireplace  should  be  cleaned  out  before  the  sweeping 
is  done,  and  the  hearth  brushed,  with  a  bath  after- 
wards. Brass  trimmings  and  utensils  in  use  about 
the  grate  can  be  easily  kept  clean  by  rubbing  first 
with  kerosene  and  then  with  red  pomade;  but  if 
neglected  and  allowed  to  become  tarnished,  it  is 
somewhat  of  an  undertaking  to  restore  them  to 
their  pristine  brightness.  In  an  extreme  case  rub 
with  vinegar  and  salt,  wash  off  quickly,  and  follow 
with  some  good  polish.  Besults  obtained  in  this 
way  are  not  lasting,  and  the  vinegar  and  salt  should 


MACHINERY   OF   HOUSEKEEPING       283 

be  resorted  to  only  after  other  well-tried  means 
have  failed.  Another  home  cure  for  tarnished 
brass  and  other  metals  is  a  mixture  of  whiting,  four 
pounds;  cream  of  tartar,  one  quarter  pound;  and 
calcinated  magnesia,  three  ounces.  Apply  with  a 
damp  cloth. 

The  dust  win  settle  while  the  brasses  are  being 
cleaned,  and  then  the  carpet  or  rug  should  be 
brushed  over  a  second  tune,  lightly,  and  may  be 
brightened  once  a  month  or  so  by  rubbing,  a  small 
space  at  a  time,  with  a  stiff  scrubbing  brush  dipped 
in  ammonia  water — two  tablespoons  of  ammonia  to 
a  gallon  of  water— and  then  quickly  wiping  over 
with  a  dry  cloth.  The  chandeliers  and  gas  fixtures 
should  be  wiped  with  a  doth  wrung  from  weak 
suds,  the  globes  dusted  or  washed  as  required,  and 
a  doubled  coarse  thread  drawn  back  and  forth 
through  the  gas  tips,  if  gas  is  in  use.  Eegisters 
should  be  wiped  out  and  dusted  every  sweeping 
day  to  prevent  the  accumulation  of  dust  All 
woodwork,  if  painted,  is  dusted  and  then  wiped 
down  with  a  damp  cloth;  if  hardwood,  use  the  crude 
oil  and  turpentine,  going  into  grooves  and  corners 
with  a  skewer,  and  rub  hard  with  a  second  dean 
flannel.  Hardwood  floors  receive  the  same  treat- 
ment after  being  swept,  and  it  is  a  good  plan  to  go 


284  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

over  all  the  furniture  in  the  same  way  to  preserve 
the  life  and  fine  finish  of  the  wood,  hut  it  is  impera- 
tive that  the  wood  he  rubhed  absolutely  dry. 

When  the  windows  have  been  washed,  furniture 
replaced,  and  everything  is  in  apple-pie  order  in 
the  drawing-room,  each  of  the  remaining  rooms  is 
cleaned  in  like  manner,  ending  with  the  hall,  where 
each  stair  is  brushed  with  a  whisk  broom  into  the 
dust  pan,  and  carpet,  walls,  ceiling,  and  woodwork 
attended  to  as  in  the  other  rooms.  The  dusting 
cloths  and  broom  bags  should  go  regularly  into 
the  weekly  wash.  It  is  far  better  to  do  one  room 
complete  at  a  time  than  to  have  a  whole  floor  torn 
up  at  once.  Just  because  it  is  sweeping  day  is  no 
reason  for  turning  the  family  into  a  whole  flock 
of  Noah's  doves,  with  no  place  for  the  soles  of  their 
feet.  It  is  very  easy  to  transform  black  Friday 
into  good  Friday  by  a  little  judicious  manipulation 
of  the  household  helm.  The  cleaning,  in  addition 
to  the  routine  work,  is  about  all  Friday  can  hold, 
without  crowding.  A  few  anxious  thoughts  for 
the  morrow's  baking  will  provide  all  things  neces- 
sary to  it,  so  there  will  be  no  delay  about  commenc- 
ing it;  for — 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING        285 
SATURDAY 

Saturday  Mrs.  Grundy  devotes  to  providing 
for  the  wants  of  the  inner  man.  The  heaviest  part 
of  the  day's  work  is  the  preparation  of  food  for 
two  or  three  days.  Then  the  refrigerator  must 
have  its  second  cleaning,  and  the  pantry,  too,  prob- 
ahly  requires  renovating  by  this  time.  Entries 
must  be  cleaned,  a  second  tour  of  inspection  of  the 
cellar  made,  and  the  house  put  in  trim  for  the  "  day 
that  comes  betwixt  a  Saturday  and  Monday." 

HOUSE  CLEANING 

This  is  not  the  domestic  bugbear  it  used  to  be, 
when  one  mighty  spasm  of  cleanliness  shook  the 
house  from  garret  to  cellar  and  threw  its  inmates 
into  a  fever  of  discomfort  and  dismay.  The  mod- 
ern house-cleaning  season  is  one  of  indolence  and 
ease  compared  with  what  it  once  was,  when  not 
only  the  cleaning  and  living  problem,  but  the  man 
problem  as  well,  had  to  be  solved ;  when  the  master 
sighed  for  a  spot  in  some  vast  wilderness,  vaguely 
wondering,  as  he  dined  lunch-counter  fashion  and 
then  gingerly  wound  his  weary  way  through  a 
labyrinth  of  furniture,  boxes,  and  rolls  of  carpet 
to  his  humble  couch  set  up  behind  the  piano  or  in 


286  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

some  other  unlikely  place,  if  marriage  were  a  fail- 
ure, while  contact  with  the  business  end  of  a  tack 
gave  point  to  his  thoughts.  No,  indeed!  The 
spring  and  autumn  of  his  discontent  are  made  glo- 
rious summer  now  by  the  more  civilized  system 
which,  beginning  at  the  attic  and  working  down- 
ward, cleans  one  room,  or  perhaps  two  at  a  time,  as 
a  day's  work,  restoring  everything  to  order  before 
a  new  attack  is  made. 

PREPARATION 

The  task  of  cleaning  a  house  in  which  the  regu- 
lar work  is  systematically  carried  on  is  not  so  very 
arduous,  and  follows  the  general  plan  of  the  weekly 
cleaning.  Before  the  real  work  begins  have  a  gen- 
eral overhauling  and  weeding  out  of  cubbies, 
boxes,  and  trunks,  scrub  out  drawers  and  reline 
with  clean  paper,  and  clean  clothespresses,  ward- 
robes, and  closets.  In  the  spring,  there  will  be  furs 
and  flannels  to  shake,  brush,  and  put  away,  and  in 
the  fall,  summer  clothing.  Before  the  spring 
cleaning  the  stoves  must  be  taken  down  and  cleaned 
out,  stovepipes  cleaned  and  rubbed  with  boiled  oil 
to  prevent  rust,  and  both  put  away  in  the  attic. 
Chimneys,  too,  must  be  cleaned,  and  if  the  heating 
is  by  furnace,  it  should  be  put  in  order  and  all  its 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING        287 

parts  swept  free  from  soot,  covering  the  registers 
during  the  operation.  This  is  better  done  in  the 
spring  so  the  summer  winds  cannot  scatter  the  dust 
and  soot  through  the  house.  The  supply  of  coal 
and  wood  for  the  ensuing  year  should  be  put  into 
the  cellar,  and  then  the  preliminaries  are  over.  The 
fall  cleaning  must  be  delayed  until  the  canning  and 
pickling  are  all  done,  and  the  "  busy,  curious, 
thirsty  fly  "  is  pretty  well  extinct.  Now  is  the  best 
time  for  painting,  whitewashing,  papering,  and 
other  decorating  and  repairing.  If  done  in  the 
spring,  its  freshness  is  bound  to  be  more  or  less 
spoiled  by  insects  during  the  summer,  be  as  careful 
as  one  may. 

CLEANING   DRAPERIES,    RUGS,  CARPETS 

The  first  step  in  the  real  cleaning  is  to  take 
down  draperies,  shake  well,  hang  out  on  the  line, 
right  side  under,  and  beat  out  the  dust  with  a  dog- 
or  riding-whip.  Follow  with  a  hard  brushing  on 
the  wrong  side  and  wipe  down  quickly  with  a  damp 
cloth,  following  the  nap,  if  there  is  one.  Lace  and 
muslin  curtains  are  repaired,  if  necessary,  and 
laundered,  or  sent  to  the  cleaner.  If  only  slightly 
soiled,  they  can  be  freshened  by  folding,  after  shak- 
ing, and  sprinkling  all  the  folds  thickly  with  mag- 


288  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

nesia.  Let  this  remain  three  or  four  days  and  then 
brush  out  thoroughly.  Next  rugs  and  carpets  come 
out  and  are  well  swept  on  both  sides,  then  hung  on 
the  line  and  beaten  with  a  flail — one  of  two  feet  of 
rubber  hose  partially  slipped  over  a  round  stick 
and  split  lengthwise  into  four  parts,  being  the  best 
— until  no  vestige  of  dust  remains.  Heavy  carpets, 
Brussels,  velvets,  Wiltons,  Axminsters,  and  Mo- 
quettes,  need  not  be  lifted  oftener  than  every  two 
or  three  years,  unless  the  presence  of  moths  about 
bindings,  corners,  or  seams  is  detected,  when  they 
must  come  up  at  once.  The  ravage  of  moths  can  be 
prevented  by  drawing  the  tacks  occasionally,  turn- 
ing back  the  edge  of  the  carpet  half  a  yard  or  so, 
laying  a  cloth  wrung  out  of  hot  water  on  the 
wrong  side,  and  pressing  with  a  very  hot  iron,  hold- 
ing the  iron  on  until  the  cloth  is  dry  and  then  mov- 
ing on  until  all  the  edges  are  thoroughly  steamed 
and  dried.  This  will  not  injure  the  carpet  and 
kills  the  eggs  and  larvae.  Follow  this  up  by  wash- 
ing the  floor  with  hot  borax  water,  dry  thoroughly, 
sprinkle  with  black  pepper,  and  retack  the  carpet. 
Sometimes  small  pieces  of  cotton  batting  dipped 
in  turpentine  and  slipped  under  the  edges  of  the 
carpet  will  keep  the  moths  away.  If  there  are 
cracks  at  the  juncture  of  baseboard  and  floor,  pour 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING        289 

in  benzine  and  fill  with  plaster  of  Paris.  Three-ply 
or  ingrain  carpets  can  be  steamed  and  ironed  with- 
out removing  the  tacks. 

CLEANING  MATTINGS  AND   WOODWORK 

Mattings  must  be  lifted,  shaken,  swept,  wiped 
off  with  a  cloth  dampened  in  borax  water,  and  left 
on  the  lawn  to  sun.  No  soap  should  be  used  on 
linoleum,  and  but  little  water.  Clean  by  rubbing 
with  a  damp  cloth  till  no  soil  comes  off,  and  polish 
with  a  very  little  linseed  oil.  All  upholstered  fur- 
niture should  be  taken  out,  covered  with  a  cloth,  and 
thoroughly  beaten  with  a  rattan,  shaking  the  cloth 
as  it  becomes  dusty.  Before  rugs  and  carpets  go 
down,  walls,  woodwork,  and  floors  are  cleaned. 
Walls,  if  painted,  are  washed  with  hot  water  con- 
taining a  little  kerosene,  a  square  yard  at  a  time, 
which  is  dried  before  moving  on  to  the  next  area. 
Kubbing  down  with  the  inside  of  the  crust  of  bread 
a  day  old  will  clean  papered  walls.  Painted  wood- 
work is  best  cleaned  with  whiting  mixed  to  a  thick 
cream  with  cold  water,  rubbed  on  with  a  cloth 
wrung  out  of  hot  water,  following  the  grain  of  the 
wood.  Wash  off  the  whiting  with  a  second  cloth, 
rub  dry,  and  polish  with  flannel.  Painted  walls 
may  also  be  treated  in  this  way,  beginning  at  the 


290  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

top  and  working  down.  If  soap  is  preferred,  use 
the  suds,  rubbing  the  soap  itself  only  on  very  much 
soiled  spots.  Kerosene  in  the  water  obviates  the 
necessity  for  soap.  Enameled  paint  requires  only 
a  cloth  wrung  out  of  hot  water,  followed  by  a  rub- 
bing with  a  dry  cloth.  Avoid  using  water  on  hard- 
wood, boiled  oil  or  turpentine  and  oil  being  best 
for  woodwork  and  floors.  Now  is  the  time  to  scrub 
floors,  if  pine,  with  hot  borax  suds,  and  to  rewax 
or  varnish  hardwood  floors  if  they  require  it. 

CLEANING  BEDS 

Beds  come  to  pieces  and  go  out  of  doors,  where 
the  slats  are  washed  with  carbolic-acid  water,  andi 
springs  and  woodwork  thoroughly  brushed  and 
sprinkled  with  corrosive  sublimate  and  alcohol,  if 
traces  of  bugs  are  found.  If  the  beds  are  enam- 
eled, they  are  washed  entire,  with  the  exception  of 
the  brass  trimmings,  with  hot  water  and  ammonia, 
and  wiped  dry.  Bedclothes,  mattresses,  and  pil- 
lows are  hung  out  and  sunned,  mattresses  and  pil- 
lows both  beaten,  and  the  former  carefully  brushed, 
going  into  each  tuft  and  crevice.  Shades  which 
have  become  soiled  at  the  bottom  can  be  reversed. 
House  cleaning  is  not  an  unmixed  joy,  but  if  done 
systematically,  one  room  at  a  time,  it  is  soon  ac- 


MACHINERY    OF    HOUSEKEEPING       291 

complished  and  becomes  a  part  of  that  biography 
which  all  housekeeping  is  at  last — a  biography 
which  should  be  written  in  characters  of  gold,  its 
pages  richly  illumined  with  crosses,  and  palms,  and 
laurels,  and  at  its  end  a  jeweled  crown  bearing  the 
inscription : 

"She  hath  done  what  she  couldn't!" 


CHAPTER   XIV 

HIEED    HELP 

THE  difficulty  of  dealing  with  the  subject  of 
hired  help  is  about  as  great  as  the  dealing 
with  the  help  herself,  who  is  so  often  not 
a  help  at  all.  The  appellation  is  the  one  insisted 
upon  by  the  great  unorganized  union  of  the 
"  household  tramp,"  whose  pride  cannot  endure  the 
stigma  implied  in  the  name  "  servant,"  and  who  has 
never  learned  that  we,  in  all  walks  of  life,  are  more 
or  less  servants — servants  of  Fame,  or  Ambition,! 
or  Duty,  or  Country,  or  Business.  The  maid  who 
gave  notice  on  the  spot  because  she  was  introduced 
by  the  daughter  of  the  house  to  her  mother  as 
"your  new  servant,"  seems  to  be  the  incarnation 
of  that  spirit  of  independence  which  is  loosening 
the  very  foundations  of  our  national  structure.: 
England  has  servants ;  Germany  has  servants,  but 
America  has  help.  Let  us  then,  like  Agag  of  oldj 
walk  delicately,  remembering  that  help,  by  anyj 
other  name,  is  even  more  surrounded  by  thorns. 

292 


HIRED    HELP 

V 

THE   GENERAL   HOUSEMAID 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  get  a  competent  girl 
?or  general  housework  these  days,  and  viewed  in 
he  light  of  past  experiences  with  the  able  but  un- 
willing, the  willing  but  unable,  the  stupid,  the  dis- 
lonest,  the  ignorant  servant  within  our  gates,  with 
he  very  occasional  good  genius  of  the  kitchen  to 
eaven  the  lump  of  incompetency,  we  are  sorely 
empted  to  give  up  the  struggle  and  do  our  own 
work,  feeling  that  the  time  and  strength  so  con- 
sumed are  more  than  compensated  for  by  the  peace 
)f  mind  which  comes  with  the  cessation  of  hostili- 
ies.  But  after  a  breathing  spell  we  are  generally 
'eady  for  another  joust,  and  the  struggle  goes  on 
as  of  yore.  Shops  and  factories  have  greatly  re- 
duced the  supply  of  servants,  and  of  these  so  many 
specialize  as  cooks,  waitresses,  and  nurses  that  we 
*eally  have  a  very  small  choice  when  seeking  an 
all-round  maid — one  who  has  some  knowledge  and 
experience  of  the  different  branches  of  housecraft. 
And  right  here  we  encounter  another  difficulty: 
ways  of  living  and  methods  of  household  manage- 
ment are  so  diverse  that  a  girl  might  be  considered 
competent  by  one  mistress  and  entirely  the  reverse 

>y  another.    Our  servants  are  more  or  less  as  we 
20 


294  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

make  them,  and  it  is  frequently  the  case  that  the 
mistress  herself  needs  a  course  of  instruction 
before  she  is  capable  of  rightly  instructing  her 
maid  —  a  course  which  shall  embrace  not  only 
housewifery,  but  the  cultivation  of  self-command, 
patience,  wisdom,  consideration,  and  that  power 
which  comes  only  with  knowledge.  The  raw  for- 
eigner with  whom  she  often  has  to  deal  is  so  en- 
tirely ignorant  of  life  as  we  know  it ;  her  training 
in  field  and  peasant's  cottage  has  in  no  way  pre- 
pared her  for  the  refined  home  with  its  dainty  fur- 
nishings and  food,  and  the  difficulty  of  understand- 
ing and  being  understood  adds  to  the  perplexities 
of  the  slow  and  undeveloped  mind.  Such  a  servant 
is  really  nothing  but  a  child,  so  far  as  her  faculties 
are  concerned,  and  should  be  treated  as  one  until 
experience  and  training  shall  enable  her  to  put 
away  childish  things.  Like  most  children,  she  is 
an  imitator;  let  it  be  our  care  that  we  set  only  a 
worthy  example  before  her.  She  is  quick  to  recog- 
nize inconsistency  or  unfairness,  and  to  seize  an 
opportunity  to  get  the  upper  hand.  Try  to  treat 
her  with  a  firmness  which  is  not  arbitrary,  and  a 
kindness  and  consideration  which  are  not  famili- 
arity. Make  her  feel  that  she  is  an  entity,  a  person 
of  place  and  importance  in  making  home  comfort, 


HIRED    HELP  295 

and  a  good  bit  of  that  subtle  antagonism  which 
seems  to  exist  between  mistress  and  maid  will  be 
gradually  smoothed  away.  Don't  wonder  if  she 
has  the  blues  occasionally;  you  have  them  your- 
self. Don't  be  worried  if  she  is  a  trifle  slow; 
help  her  to  systematize  and  so  shorten  her  labors. 
If  she  cracks  and  breaks  your  dishes  show  her 
how  to  handle  and  care  for  them,  with  a  timely 
word  about  avoiding  undue  haste.  If  she  wants 
to  do  certain  things  in  her  own  way,  let  her,  pro- 
vided it  is  not  a  bad  way,  until  you  can  prove 
to  her  that  yours  is  better.  You  know  there  are 
other  ways  than  yours — good  ones,  too.  Study 
her  as  you  would  a  refractory  engine;  if  she  runs 
off  the  track,  or  doesn't  run  at  all,  or  has  a  hotbox 
or  any  other  creature  failing  learn  the  cause  and 
remedy  it  if  you  can.  She  is  human,  like  yourself, 
and  young  too,  probably,  and  needs  diversion. 
Don't  begrudge  it  to  her  when  it  is  of  the  right  kind. 
Like  you,  she  needs  rest  occasionally,  between 
whiles;  make  an  opportunity  for  it.  She  needs 
good  strengthening  food;  see  that  she  has  it,  and 
if  she  prefers  plain  living  and  high  thinking  on 
bread  and  tea,  that's  her  own  lookout.  She  proba- 
bly will  have  strong  leanings  toward  the  jam 
closet;  lock  the  door  and  keep  the  key,  and  leave 


296  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

no  money,  jewelry,  or  other  valuables  carelessly 
about  to  tempt  her,  perhaps  beyond  her  strength. 
Don't  be  overnice  in  your  exactions ;  if  she  is  even 
a  fairly  good  cook,  waitress,  and  laundress,  you 
are  indeed  blessed  among  women.  Give  judicious 
praise  or  kindly  criticism  where  due ;  sometimes  a 
warning  in  time  will  save  nine  blunders.  While 
she  is  under  your  roof  and  a  member  of  your  fam- 
ily you  are  in  a  measure  responsible  for  her  wel- 
fare, moral,  spiritual,  and  physical,  and  are  her 
natural  and  lawful  protector.  She  may  neither 
need  nor  want  your  protection,  but  let  her  feel  that 
it  is  there,  none  the  less. 

HOW  TO  SELECT  A  MAID 

And  now,  how  shall  we  find  this  person  to  assist 
us  in  making  domestic  life  "  one  grand,  sweet 
song  " — we  hope !  The  usual  way  is  to  apply  to 
a  reputable  agency  where  you  will  find  the  better 
class  of  girls  and  be  dealt  with  honestly.  An 
agency  of  this  kind  usually  keeps  on  file  the  refer- 
ences of  girls  offering  themselves  for  service, 
which  will  give  you  at  least  some  idea  of  the  quali- 
fications of  the  maid  you  may  engage.  Many 
housekeepers  advertise  in  the  daily  papers  or 
trades  journals,  the  advertisement  being  a  concise 


HIRED    HELP  297 

statement  of  the  location,  whether  city  or  country, 
the  kind  of  service  expected,  and  the  wages  paid. 
A  third  and  usually  most  satisfactory  way  of  ob- 
taining help  is  through  some  friend,  who  can  back 
her  recommendation  with  a  guarantee.  Having  en- 
tered your  application,  decide  upon  your  plan  of 
action  in  the  interview  which  will  take  place  when 
Dame  Maid  presents  herself  for  the  mutual  in- 
spection— mutual  because,  though  'tis  not  hers  to 
"  reason  why,"  she  has  a  perfect  right  to  know 
what  awaits  her.  This  cross-examination  is  some- 
what of  an  ordeal,  especially  to  the  novice  in  the 
servant-hiring  business.  It  is  essential  for  the 
housekeeper  to  know  just  what  questions  to  put  to 
the  applicant,  what  questions  to  look  for  in  return, 
what  to  tell  her  of  the  household  regime  and  of  her 
individual  part  in  it;  in  short,  she  must  know  her 
ground  and  then  stand  on  it — it  is  hardly  necessary 
to  add,  with  decision  and  dignity.  The  applicant's 
personal  appearance  tells  something  of  what  she 
is :  if  slovenly,  her  work  would  be  ditto ;  if  flashy, 
with  cheap  finery  and  gew-gaws — well,  she  may  be 
honest  and  reliable,  but  she  may  also  make  it  diffi- 
cult for  you  to  be  mistress  in  your  own  house.  Be  a 
little  wary  of  the  middle-aged  servant;  if  she  is 
really  desirable,  she  is  not  apt  to  be  casting  about 


298  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

for  a  position,  and  besides,  she  is  usually  "  sot "  in 
her  ways.  The  fact  of  a  girl's  looking  sullen  or 
morose  should  not  militate  against  her — she  may  be 
only  shy  or  embarrassed.  If  she  is  impertinent — 
maybe  her  former  mistress  "  talked  back,"  or  made 
too  great  an  equal  of  her.  Anyway,  be  your  own 
ladylike  self  and  she  will  probably  fall  in  line. 
The  quiet,  steady-looking  girl  who  evinces  a  will- 
ingness to  learn  is  apt  to  be  a  safe  investment. 

QUESTIONS  AND   ANSWERS 

Question  her  about  her  housework  experience, 
her  ability  to  do  plain  cooking  and  baking,  make 
beds,  serve,  wash,  and  iron.  She  cannot  possibly 
be  an  expert  along  each  of  these  lines,  perhaps  not 
on  one  even,  but  a  general  working  knowledge  of 
all  is  very  desirable.  Have  a  complete  understand- 
ing with  her  at  the  outset  regarding  her  work, 
wages,  hours  of  work  and  of  leisure,  and  break- 
ages. Don't  try  to  put  the  best  foot  forward, 
though  there  is  no  particular  harm  in  pointing  out 
the  special  advantages  she  would  enjoy  in  your 
home,  but  give  her  a  frank  and  honest  statement 
of  what  she  may  expect.  If  she  asks  you,  as  she  no 
doubt  will,  if  you  have  much  company,  say  so,  if 
you  have,  but  add  that  you  will  relieve  her  as  much 


HIRED    HELP  299 

as  you  can  of  the  extra  work  entailed.  And  don't 
resent  her  asking  about  the  size  of  your  family,  and 
about  her  room,  for  she  would  naturally  be  in- 
terested in  both.  A  complete  understanding  at 
every  point  may  save  considerable  future  trouble. 
The  question  of  a  uniform  may  come  up  during 
your  talk.  Some  girls  absolutely  refuse  to  don 
anything  which  looks  to  them  like  a  badge  of  servi- 
tude ;  if  this  happens,  let  it  go,  because  you  know  it 
is  not  an  absolute  essential.  At  the  close  of  the 
conference  ask  for  references.  No  mistress  is 
obliged  to  give  a  reference  to  her  departing  serv- 
ant, but  if  she  does  so  it  ought,  in  all  conscience,  to 
be  an  honest  one.  It  is  a  deplorable  fact  that  many 
housekeepers,  either  in  a  desire  to  be  magnani- 
mous, or  to  avoid  a  scene  or  annoyance,  give  utterly 
undeserved  recommendations,  thus  opening  the 
way  for  other  reigns  of  terror  which  a  little  per- 
sonal application  of  do-as-you-would-be-done-by 
could  have  prevented.  Investigate  these  refer- 
ences, either  in  person  or  by  letter;  otherwise  you 
may  discover  later  on  that  they  were  forged  by  the 
girl  herself  or  by  some  of  her  accommodating 
friends. 


300  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

AGREEMENTS 

The  term  of  service  is  determined  by  an  agree- 
ment between  mistress  and  maid.  The  usual  cus- 
tom is  to  take  the  applicant  for  a  week's  trial ;  if, 
at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  both  are  satisfied, 
the  arrangement  continues  from  week  to  week,  if 
the  payments  are  weekly.  In  households  in  which 
monthly  payments  are  preferred  the  maid  is  hired 
by  the  month.  The  agreement  entered  into  is  noth- 
ing more  nor  less  than  a  legal  contract,  and  not  to 
be  lightly  violated.  When  serving  by  the  week  the 
maid  is  entitled  to,  and  must  also  give,  three  days' 
notice;  when  by  the  month  a  week's  notice  is  re- 
quired, or  if  for  any  reason  her  mistress  wishes 
her  to  leave  at  once,  she  may  pay  her  one  week's 
wages.  If  the  maid  leaves  suddenly  and  without 
giving  notice,  in  the  middle  of  her  term,  she  forfeits 
all  claim  to  wages  which  have  accrued  since  her 
last  payment.  If  discharged  unjustly  and  without 
sufficient  cause  before  the  expiration  of  her  term, 
she  is  entitled  to  her  wages  in  full;  but  if  dis- 
charged without  notice  because  of  intoxication,  im- 
morality, dishonesty,  arrant  disobedience,  or  per- 
manent incapacity  from  illness,  she  can  claim 
nothing.  It  is  customary  with  some  housekeepers 


HIRED    HELP  301 

to  start  the  new  maid  on  a  comparatively  low  sal- 
ary, with  the  promise  of  an  increase  of  perhaps 
fifty  cents  per  month,  in  case  she  proves  herself 
worthy,  till  the  maximum  is  reached.  This  is  often 
an  incentive  to  good  service. 

THE   MAID'S   LEISURE   TIME 

Her  times  of  leisure  vary  somewhat,  according 
to  circumstances ;  but  one  week-day  afternoon  and 
evening,  and  Sunday  afternoon  and  evening  of 
each  week  are  usually  allowed  her,  though  she  may 
be  given  only  every  other  Sunday.  If  an  extra 
evening  can  be  given  her,  all  well  and  good.  The 
maid  should  be  able  to  count  on  getting  away  at  a 
certain  hour  so  she  can  arrange  to  meet  her 
friends;  and  she  must  also  understand  that  ten 
o'clock  is  to  see  her  in  the  house,  that  hour  being 
as  late  as  any  girl  ought  to  be  out.  In  homes  which 
employ  two  maids  equal  privileges  are  granted 
each,  one  assuming  the  work  of  the  other  during 
her  absence.  It  is  a  simple  matter  to  arrange  for 
light  meals  on  the  cook's  day  out,  and  to  minimize 
the  serving  when  the  waitress  is  to  be  away.  When 
night  dinner  is  the  custom  and  but  one  maid  em- 
ployed, she  either  goes  from  ten  until  four,  leav- 
ing her  mistress  to  prepare  luncheon,  or  else,  if 


302  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

she  is  away  over  the  dinner  hour,  the  meals  are 
shifted,  with  dinner  at  noon  and  tea  at  night.  She 
leaves  on  Sunday  immediately  after  the  dinner 
work  is  done  and  does  not  return  to  prepare  tea. 
If  she  prefers  to  spend  her  leisure  time  quietly  at 
home  reading  or  sewing,  she  should  be  encouraged 
to  do  so  and  not  be  forced  to  go  out  in  self-defense 
to  escape  calls  for  extra  work  at  that  time.  The 
mistress  has  no  claim  on  her  maid's  "  off  "  hours. 

DRESS  AND   PERSONAL  NEATNESS 

The  maid's  uniform  consists  of  three  print 
gowns,  with  a  gingham  apron  for  morning  wear, 
and  for  afternoons  a  white  apron  with  white  col- 
lar or  kerchief  and  cuffs,  cap,  or  whatever  addi- 
tional touches  her  mistress  may  prefer.  The  maid 
usually  buys  her  own  gowns,  while  her  mistress 
provides  the  accessories,  which  remain  her  prop- 
erty when  the  maid  leaves.  The  afternoon  dress  of 
one  week  becomes  the  morning  dress  of  the  follow- 
ing. Black  is  frequently  adopted  for  afternoon 
wear,  but  whatever  the  dress,  insist  upon  its  being 
washable;  woolens  absorb  odors  and  perspiration 
and  in  time  make  not  only  her  person  but  her  room 
offensive.  Issue  an  edict  against  frowzy  pompa- 
dours and  "  frizzes,"  pointing  out  the  necessity  for 


HIRED    HELP 

laving  smooth,  neat  hair,  particularly  in  the 
kitchen.  Require  her  to  bathe  regularly.  The 
question  of  allowing  the  maid  to  use  the  bathroom 
must  be  settled  individually.  If  she  is  careful 
about  cleaning  the  tub  and  leaving  things  in  good 
order,  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  she,  who  so 
Deeds  them,  should  be  deprived  of  advantages  for 
cleanliness  which  the  rest  of  us  enjoy.  "  Standing 
on  one  foot  in  a  slippery  washbowl,"  footbath,  or 
even  larger  tub,  is  a  poor  substitute.  Instruct  her 
about  arranging  her  clothing  at  night  so  it  will  air. 
You  may  even  find,  if  she  is  a  just-over  foreigner, 
;hat  you  will  have  to  introduce  her  to  the  night- 
iress — such  things  have  happened — explaining  to 
ler  the  undesirability  of  sleeping  in  underclothing 
which  she  has  worn  all  day. 

CARELESSNESS 

If  a  girl  is  habitually  careless  about  handling 
he  dishes,  and  breaks,  nicks,  and  cracks  result, 
lold  her  responsible  and  deduct  from  her  wages 
what  you  consider  a  fair  equivalent  for  the  loss. 
Such  a  course  is  astonishingly  curative  sometimes. 
The  painstaking,  careful  girl  seldom  injures  any- 
Mng,  and  the  occasional  accident  may  be  over- 
ooked.  Before  your  new  maid  arrives  write  out 


304  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

an  itemized  list  of  all  crockery,  silver,  glass,  and 
table  linen  which  are  to  be  in  constant  use,  designat- 
ing those  which  are  defaced  in  any  way,  and  go 
over  it  with  her  every  week,  holding  her  respon- 
sible for  any  damaged  or  missing  articles. 

THE  MAID'S   ROOM 

Eemove  from  the  servant's  room  all  traces  of 
its  last  occupant,  and  put  it  in  order  for  the  new 
maid,  with  the  bed  freshly  made  up  with  clean 
blankets,  linen,  and  spread.  The  room  should  be 
comfortably  furnished  with  a  single  enameled  bed 
— the  plainer  the  better  and  more  easily  cleaned — 
an  inexpensive  dresser  and  washstand,  the  bowl, 
pitcher,  etc.,  for  the  latter  preferably  of  the  white 
porcelain  enamel  ware,  a  comfortable  high-backed 
rocker,  and  one  common  cane-seated  chair.  A  pair 
of  plain  white  muslin  or  scrim  curtains  draped 
back  with  a  band  of  the  same,  and  plain  white  cov- 
ers on  washstand  and  dresser  impart  a  certain 
air  of  dainty  hominess.  A  cheap  set  of  hanging 
shelves  for  books  and  clock  would  be  a  welcome  ad- 
dition. Walls  and  floor  should  be  painted,  and  a 
colonial  rug  placed  before  the  bed.  Don't  give  the 
servant's  room  the  look  of  a  perpetual  rummage 
sale  by  making  it  a  dumping  ground  for  old  de- 


HIRED    HELP  305 

faced  pictures,  furniture,  and  bric-a-brac.  Ee- 
member  that  it  is  her  only  haven  of  rest,  and  have 
it  restful,  if  only  for  selfish  reasons,  for  renewed 
bodily  vigor  means  well-done  work  and  a  made- 
over  disposition.  When  we  think  of  the  average 
servant's  room,  small,  stuffy,  poorly  ventilated, 
hot  in  summer,  cold  in  winter,  and  unattractive  to 
a  degree,  it  ought  to  bring  a  blush  of  shame. 
Above  all,  see  that  the  bed  is  comfortable ;  for  who 
can  blame  a  tired  girl  for  getting  out  on  the  "wrong 
side  "  of  a  bed  so  hard  and  lumpy  that  it  surely 
must  rise  and  smite  her !  Place  on  the  woven  wire 
spring  a  good  mattress  either  all  cotton,  or  of  straw 
with  cotton  top  and  bottom.  Over  this  spread  one 
of  the  washable  pads  which  come  for  the  purpose, 
then  the  sheets — unbleached  if  one  prefers — the 
inexpensive  colored  blankets,  and  a  honeycomb 
spread.  One  feather  pillow  of  average  size  will  be 
sufficient.  When  two  servants  occupy  a  room  two 
single  beds  should  be  provided.  If  there  is  no 
closet,  make  a  temporary  one  by  means  of  a  shelf 
and  curtain.  An  attractive  room  carries  with  it  a 
subtle  and  refining  influence. 


306  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

HOW  TO  TRAIN   A  MAID 

"  Set  thine  house  in  order,"  and  have  every 
thing — pantry  and  kitchen  in  particular — as  yoi 
expect  your  maid  to  keep  it.  First  impressions  ar< 
truly  the  most  lasting,  and  if  she  comes  into  a  lit 
tered,  soiled,  untidy  kingdom,  you  may  expect  he: 
reign  to  be  proportionally  lax  and  her  respect  fo: 
your  housekeeping  abilities  conspicuously  absenl 
This  is  a  bad  beginning,  and  then  it  is  not  exactly 
fair  to  set  her  to  work  the  very  first  thing  to  brinj 
order  from  chaos.  See  that  she  has  all  the  tool 
necessary  to  her  work,  replacing  broken  or  useles 
utensils  and  assuring  yourself  that  the  cutlery  an< 
crockery  for  her  individual  table  use  are  whole  an< 
inviting.  Show  the  maid  to  her  room  as  soon  a 
she  arrives,  with  instructions  to  don  her  working 
garb;  and  then  begins  the  induction  into  office,  i 
trying  experience  to  you  both,  and  one  whid 
should  be  sufficiently  prolonged  to  enable  her  to  ge 
a  good  grip  of  each  new  duty  as  it  presents  itseli 
Avoid  confusing  her  at  the  start  with  a  jumble  o 
instructions,  but  make  haste  slowly,  giving  direc 
tions  in  a  way  which  she  can  understand.  Intro 
duce  her  into  her  workroom,  explain  the  rang 
and  show  her  how  to  operate  it,  point  out  the  dif 


HIRED    HELP  307 

erent  utensils  and  their  uses  and  where  foods  are 
ept.    If  she  comes  in  the  morning,  her  first  duty 
vill  be  the  preparation  of  luncheon;  give  her  in- 
ductions for  that  meal,  what  to  have,  and  how  to 
et  the  table,  this  being  the  proper  time  to  go  over 
he  list  of  table  furnishings  with  her.    Don't  em- 
arrass  her  by  being  continually  at  her  heels,  but 
;ive  what  directions  you  think  necessary  and  then 
t  her  apply  her  judgment  and  previous  experi- 
nce  to  carrying  them  out.    If  you  find  that  she  has 
either,  don't  be  discouraged,  for  you  may  be  en- 
rtaining  an  angel  unawares?  but  adopt  the  line 
pon  line,  precept  upon  precept  plan,  and  the  situa- 
bn  will  slowly  but  surely  brighten.    If  she  is  over- 
itupid  in  one  direction,  she  may  be  bright  enough 
in  some  other  to  establish  a  balance.     Luncheon 
md  its  dishes  disposed  of,  arrange  with  her  about 
linner,  and  after  its  completion  speak  about  her 
four  of  rising,  the  preparation  of  breakfast,  etc. 
the  morning  and  the  evening  were  the  first 


THE   DAILY   ROUTINE 

The  day's  routine  of  work  varies  in  different 
louseholds  and  makes  it  impossible  for  one  to  offer 
n  infallible  system.  The  keeping  of  but  one  serv- 


308  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ant  does  not  admit  of  an  elaborate  mode  of  living 
and  on  the  days  on  which  the  heaviest  work- 
washing  and  ironing — falls,  madam  would  do  we! 
to  assume  considerable  of  the  regular  work  hersell 
the  care    of  bedrooms,   dusting   and    putting   t< 
rights  of  living  and  dining  rooms,  preparation  o 
lunch,  and  whatever  else  seems  best.    All  of  tb 
hardest  work  should  be  done  in  the  morning,  bef  or< 
the  first  freshness  of  maid  and  day  is  worn  away 
After  you  have  established  a  satisfactory  schedul* 
abide  by  it  and  oblige  your  maid  to  do  the  same 
It  soon  becomes  automatic  and  is,  therefore,  accom 
plished  with  less  exhaustion  of  mind  and  body 
The  regular  day's  work  is  about  as  follows:  Th( 
maid  rises  an  hour  or  an  hour  and  a  half  before 
the  breakfast  hour,  throws  open  her  bed  and  win 
dow,  and  goes  to  the  kitchen,  where  she  starts  th( 
fire  (if  a  coal  range  is  used),  fills  and  puts  on  th( 
teakettle,  and  puts  the  cereal  on  to  cook.     Ther 
she  airs  out  dining  and  living  rooms  and  hall 
brushes  up  any  litter,  wipes  off  bare  floors,  dusts, 
closes   windows,   opens   furnace   drafts   or   looks 
after  stoves,  and,  leaving  tidiness  in  her  wake,  sets 
the    table    and    completes    the    preparations    for 
breakfast.     The  amount  of  work  she  can  accom- 
plish before  it  is  served  depends  upon  herself  and 


HIRED    HELP  309 

upon  how  elaborate  the  meal  may  be.  After  the 
main  part  of  the  breakfast  has  been  served  she  may 
be  excused  from  the  dining  room,  and  takes  this 
time  to  open  bedroom  windows  and  empty  slops, 
after  which  she  has  her  own  breakfast.  When  the 
breakfast  table  has  been  cleared,  the  dining  room 
set  to  rights,  food  taken  care  of,  and  utensils  put  to 
soak,  the  mistress  inspects  pantry  and  refrigerator, 
offers  suggestions  for  the  disposal  of  left-overs, 
arranges  with  the  maid  for  the  day's  meals,  and 
makes  out  the  list  for  grocer  and  butcher,  adding 
whatever  she  thinks  best  to  the  list  of  needed  sta- 
ples already  prepared  by  the  maid — tea,  sugar, 
soap,  etc.  Never  leave  the  entire  ordering  of  sup- 
plies to  the  maid,  her  part  being  simply  to  jot  down 
on  a  pad  hung  in  the  kitchen  for  that  purpose  a 
memorandum  of  such  things  as  need  replenishing. 
When  the  conference  is  ended  the  maid  washes  the 
dishes,  puts  kitchen  and  pantry  in  order,  fills  and 
cleans  lamps,  prepares  dishes  which  require  slow 
cooking,  makes  the  beds — unless  her  mistress  pre- 
fers to  do  this  herself — and  tidies  up  bed-  and  bath- 
rooms. If  the  living  rooms  were  not  dusted  before 
breakfast,  she  attends  to  it  now,  perhaps  sweeping 
front  porch  and  steps,  and  is  then  ready  for  the 

extra  work  of  the  day,  the  cleaning  of  silver,  wash- 
si 


310  THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

ing  of  windows,  etc.  When  the  after-lunch  work 
is  disposed  of  she  will  probably  have  an  hour  or 
two  to  herself  before  it  is  time  to  begin  prepara- 
tions for  dinner.  She  should  not  be  interrupted  in 
her  work  for  this,  that,  or  the  other,  but  allowed 
to  go  on  with  it  according  to  schedule. 

She  usually  attends  the  door  except  on  wash 
day  or  during  extra  stress  of  work.  She  will, 
perhaps,  object  to  doing  so  when  her  mistress  is  at 
home,  and  may  need  instruction  about  slipping  on 
a  clean  white  apron,  greeting  a  caller  with  civility, 
presenting  a  small  tray  for  her  card,  etc.  Initiat- 
ing her  into  the  mysteries  of  setting  and  serving 
the  table  may  be  a  long  operation,  for  the  good 
waitress  is  usually  born,  not  made.  But  don't  be 
too  exacting ;  remember  that  she  is  not  a  specialist 
and  arrange  the  flowers  and  add  other  nice  touches 
yourself,  and  dispense  with  elaborateness  of  serv- 
ing. Teach  her  to  economize  time  by  washing 
dishes  between  courses  when  her  presence  is  not 
required  in  the  dining  room,  and  insist  upon  hav- 
ing meals  served  at  stated  hours,  being  careful  that 
your  family  respond  to  the  summons  to  the  table 
with  corresponding  punctuality. 


HIRED    HELP  311 

DUTIES   OF  COOK  AND   NURSE 

Each,  additional  servant  complicates  the  plan- 
ning of  the  work.  When  there  are  two  they  are 
usually  cook  and  waitress,  the  former  having  entire 
charge  of  her  own  special  domain,  the  kitchen,  with 
all  that  pertains  to  it,  except,  perhaps,  the  prepara- 
tion of  salads  and  the  washing  of  glass,  silver,  and 
fine  dishes.  She  does  the  heavier  part  of  the  laun- 
dry work  and  some  part  of  the  sweeping,  washes 
windows,  takes  charge  of  cellar  and  pantry,  or  does 
such  other  work  as  her  mistress  designates,  each 
duty  being  plainly  specified  at  the  time  she  is  hired. 
The  tasks  of  the  waitress  are  more  varied.  The 
airing,  brushing  up,  and  dusting  of  the  living  rooms 
falls  to  her  share,  with  the  entire  charge  of  the 
dining  room,  serving  the  table,  and  washing  the 
dishes,  glass,  and  silver.  She  also  has  charge  of 
the  bedrooms,  a  part  of  her  duties  in  that  connec- 
tion being  to  prepare  them  for  the  night,  removing 
spreads  and  shams,  turning  down  covers,  closing 
blinds,  and  carrying  to  each  room  iced  water  the 
last  thing  before  retiring,  and  hot  water  the  first 
thing  in  the  morning.  She  attends  the  door,  cleans 
silver,  wipes  off  woodwork,  and  even  helps  with 
the  mending  when  the  family  is  small.  She  usually 


THE    COMPLETE    HOME 

does  her  own  washing,  and  assists  with  the  ironing 
if  her  mistress  so  decree.  The  division  of  labor 
between  cook  and  waitress  is  sometimes  a  delicate 
matter,  and  here  more  than  ever  is  adherence  to 
rule  and  routine  imperative.  The  tendency  for  one 
servant  to  override  the  other  and  more  yielding, 
must  be  guarded  against.  When  a  nurse  is  to  be 
hired  she  should  be  questioned  as  to  her  experience 
in  caring  for  children,  and  her  cleanliness,  honesty, 
truthfulness,  morals,  and  general  character  care- 
fully investigated.  She  ought  to  be  fond  of  chil- 
dren, and  young-hearted  enough  to  enter  into  their 
little  games  and  joys  and  sorrows.  No  maid 
whose  example  is  demoralizing  to  the  little  ones 
should  have  any  place  in  the  home.  The  nurse 
probably  will  do  the  baby's  washing,  and  may 
help  a  little  here  and  there  about  the  house,  but 
as  a  rule  she  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  general 
work. 

SERVANT'S  COMPANY 

The  vexed  question  of  the  "  lady  help's  gentle- 
man company "  usually  has  to  be  faced  by  the 
housekeeper.  Since  yours  is  your  maid's  only 
home  it  is  better  to  allow  her  to  receive  her  friends 
there  than  for  her  to  seek  them  elsewhere,  taking 


HIRED    HELP  313 

it  for  granted,  of  course,  that  any  girl  whom  you 
would  be  willing  to  have  in  your  family  would 
have  no  objectionable  friends.  And  besides,  she  is 
somebody's  daughter,  you  know.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  the  time  will  come  when  every  maid  can  be 
provided  with  a  sitting  room  of  her  own,  but  until 
then  her  friends  will  have  to  be  received  in  your 
kitchen.  Let  her  feel  that  they  are  welcome  out  of 
working  hours.  A  servant  of  the  right  kind  will 
appreciate  and  not  abuse  this  privilege. 

And  so  on — and  so  on!  After  all  is  said  and 
done  one  can  only  give  a  few  hints  and  suggestions 
on  the  servant  question,  with  the  wistful  hope  that 
they  may  help  some  one  to  "  start  right,"  for  maids 
may  come  and  maids  may  go,  but  the  problem  goes 
marching  on.  The  only  way  to  do  when  it  over- 
takes one  is  to  grapple  with  it  womanfully,  for  it 
will  happen,  even  in  the  best  regulated  families. 

(i) 

THE    EKD 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN     INITIAL    FINE    OF    25    CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


SEP  17  1933 

SEP  18   1933 


APR 


FEB  24  1939 

JUL  1  4  1977 


MAR?Q1 


999 


LD  21-50m-l,'33 


vr>     I  ET /~*~1' 

YD    \D£I 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


